The Samuels Group and Venture Architects continue the preparation phase of a $121 million courthouse, jail pod and jail accessory space building project for Shawano County.
Kurt Berner of The Samuels Group provided the latest update at the June 4 public property committee meeting.
Officials have met several times with the district court administrator to review the codes and the layout of the court suite. The chief judge must approve the final plans.
“We’ve had three or four changes and tweaks to the court suite,” Berner said. “I think we’re getting closer to having those finalized.”
A similar situation occurs with plans for the 150-bed jail pod and the jail accessories space — including the kitchen, pre-booking, sally port, etc. The next meeting with the Department of Corrections is set for June 15.
Berner and others have met with contractors about moving the sheriff’s department evidence building, first temporarily but then permanently.
“There’s been a new idea brought to the table about utilizing the space at the work release center (temporarily),” he said. “The only caveat to that is we got to get the DOC to sign off on that.”
Also, Venture Architects is devising interior colors and finishes, as well as exterior colors.
“What they’re going to work through is develop a palette, and then we will present it to you guys for review, and we’ll bring it to the board,” Berner said.
A survey of all the lots to be used for the building project was completed, so officials now have exact measurements to determine utility connections, setback areas and exact dimensions of the buildings.
Soil boring tests revealed some high water areas as expected, but as there will not be anything built below grade level, measures can be taken to mitigate the water levels from affecting construction.
Berner reminded committee members a decision on the site for a new library will need to be made in the next several months to aid in any future fundraising efforts.
“There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes to make sure that we’re putting all of the small pieces together that, when it does come time to put it out for bid, we’re being very responsible in getting numbers that are going to come back in underneath that approved $121 million amount,” said Julie Hasser, human resources director and interim administrative coordinator.
Floor plans of the building project will not be made public for security reasons, although committee members are expected to eventually review them in a closed session.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
