Increased activity on Simmons Island and more inviting entries to the city’s east side are among potential plans to enhance Kenosha’s lakefront.

The lakefront was the focus for Wednesday night’s meeting of the Arts and Humanities Alliance of Kenosha, and Mayor Keith Bosman said he was happy with the course of Kenosha’s lakefront over the last two decades.

“I think we have gone in a very good direction, and I would like to see that direction continue,” Bosman said.

The Kenosha Area Convention and Visitors Bureau reported that about 20,000 people visit Kenosha’s lakefront each month. But a struggle with developing the lakefront area is that more businesses are moving to the west side of the city.

“We have to make the draws to bring people here,” Bosman said. “We’re trying to create destinations.”

To that end, Bosman would like to see Simmons Island as a destination.

“Simmons Island has been very underutilized ever since Simmons (Co.),” Bosman said.

Bosman said he hopes to see plans for further use of that space in the next six months. Options could include space for theater and music performances and increased activities for children.

The city also is planning on making the entry to Kenosha’s lakefront more attractive.

Bosman said the city is aiming to improve railroad viaducts over the next two years and has sought plans to refurbish the Metra rail station. Long-term plans include adding more streetscape designs along 52nd Street and improving that road.

“It’s up to the city to make it easier for people to get (to the lakefront),” Bosman said.

Bosman said the city will attempt to promote the area, including links through the city’s Web site and highlighting specific areas of the lakefront community.

Ray Forgianni, president of the Arts and Humanities Alliance of Kenosha and Kenosha’s former city development director, said there needs to be more reasons to bring people to Kenosha’s lakefront.

“We need activities far more than we need image,” Forgianni said. “We can’t put enough attractions down there.”

Bosman also fielded questions about why the area lacked a bookstore, which is mostly based on market demand, and efforts to bring in a convention center. Bosman said a future development of that nature could be considered at the site of the City Municipal Building, 625 52nd St.

“I would like to see some monumental building there,” Bosman said.

The current economic limits of the city also could affect how these plans go forward.

Bosman said he would be interested in adding a north-south component to the city’s streetcar line, but that project would require about $10 million in funds.

“We can’t be cutting back and laying people off and doing these kinds of projects,” Bosman said.

But Bosman said enhancing this area is still one of his major goals.

“If my tenure ends without a major company locating down here, my term will not have been successful,” Bosman said.