Orrick Advises PATRIZIA on Developing its Latest FiberCity® in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Orrick advised PATRIZIA, acting through its Smart Cities Infrastructure Fund (SCIF), on its sixth U.S. partnership and investment with privately owned telecommunications company SiFi Networks to develop the Kenosha FiberCity®, an open access, city-wide and fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network that will deliver high-speed internet to Kenosha, Wisconsin—the largest of its six FiberCity® investments. Upon reaching commercial operation in November 2025, the FiberCity® will provide 10 gigabit-enabled speeds to 40,000 residents and businesses via 700 miles of fiber and 56 cabinets.

The installation of the smart city infrastructure will provide consumers with more choices for internet providers and facilitate Kenosha's transition towards a digital economy to meet the future needs of its labor market, half of whom are under 35 years of age. The Kenosha FiberCity® investment raises SCIF’s global commitment in smart city infrastructure to over EUR 600 million (US$648 million) and represents SCIF’s ninth global investment, which includes four cities in California and one in Massachusetts and a portfolio of Italian smart streetlighting companies SCIF financed last year—its first investments in Europe.

We previously advised PATRIZIA in its equity investment in and joint venture with SiFi Networks to construct smart cities in Fullerton, Placentia, Rancho Cordova and Simi Valley, California, and Salem, Massachusetts. The team was led by John Donaleski and included Dan Eliades and Lauren Estell.