The proposed capital improvement projects for 2026 were presented Aug. 13 to the Shawano Common Council.
The city is expected be involved with about $8 million in projects next year, more than double this year’s price tag but understandable once the recreation center project, worth $5.25 million, is realized. The city will be utilizing a $4.25 million grant from the state to help with the completion of the rec center work, but there will be about $304,000 in other grants utilized for next year’s projects.
Much of the expense from the city will go toward street work. Complete street reconstruction is scheduled to take place on Pine Street, North Washington Street, South Smalley Street and Center Street. Simple repaving is planned for Bay Lakes Road, Eberlein Park Drive and Arlington Street.
“That’s the main driver behind our capital improvement plan,” City Administrator Eddie Sheppard said. “We make sure we do an adequate amount of street miles every year. The roads are where, if you fall behind, you never really catch up.”
Aside from the street projects, the city’s public works department could purchase a rubber tire backhoe with a price of $175,000, as well as a new pickup truck for $50,000. There is also the annual cost of asphalt crack filling services, sidewalk replacement and pavement sealcoat.
The Shawano Police Department could receive $133,350 in 2026. The majority of the money would be geared to replacing two squad cars, but the orders for those two vehicles already took place this year, as there is a lengthy backlog on vehicles, especially for any emergency services. The police department could also use the money to purchase new Tasers, radio equipment, drug and tactical equipment, and cameras for squad vehicles.
“We were fortunate to get a really good deal on the squads,” Sheppard said, noting the $80,000 price tag for both of them.
The city could also spend $75,000 for the Shawano Area Fire Department, which includes one new garage door and a remodel of the main station’s gear room.
There should be $17,000 set aside for annual rail spur repairs on the tracks that go through Shawano.
Normally, the parks and recreation department would get a good chunk of money for various park projects, but with the recreation center taking up most of the attention, only an additional $15,000 is expected to go to the department next year to go toward baseball and softball diamond rehabilitation and land preparation at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Sheppard said much of the work of determining the 2026 capital projects started much earlier this year, in April, due to the recreation center project jumping up in estimated cost.
“The $4.25 million (grant) was awesome, but it also required us to add some city funds to really do it the way we wanted to do it,” Sheppard said. “We had multiple council conversations about adding alternates like racquetball courts.”
In 2025, the city had projects totaling more than $3.1 million.
Sheppard said the list is still a work in progress. The final 2026 budget will be approved in November.
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
