County eyes purchase of former ranger station

Oconto County is in the process of acquiring the former Department of Natural Resources ranger station in Oconto Falls.

The DNR notified the county in July that the 1.03-acre site is no longer needed as a ranger station. Since the parcel has limited potential for recreational use, agency planners recommended putting it up for sale. It was offered first to local units of government and tribes, with an asking price of $150,000.

One condition is that the DNR would like to maintain the Smokey Bear fire prevention sign at the corner of Highland Drive and Cherry Avenue, so the agency can continue to provide fire danger status information to the public.

The property consists of a 2,500-square-foot building with an unheated secondary building that is 24-by-24 feet, or 576 square feet. Oconto County is already using the facility for storage of emergency vehicles and expects to have a continued need for that purpose.

The county board would purchase the land using part of its $7.367 million allocation from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Property and Technology Committee recommended the purchase in August on the condition that only the ARPA funds be used. The $150,000 is available in the “capital projects to be determined” portion of a plan previously approved by the board.

The board’s Administration Committee was scheduled to review the proposal Oct. 12 before sending it to the full county board Oct. 19.

wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com