The city of Oconto will be changed forever.
Come 2015, a residential neighborhood in the city will give way to a modern jail facility and related offices. Just how much the city will change is a concern of an ad hoc committee created by the Oconto City Council.
On March 26, the committee met with Oconto County officials to learn about plans for the $25 million project, scheduled to be completed in December 2017.
Administrative Coordinator Kevin Hamann said the county will consider a number of design options, such as underground parking below the Sheriff’s Department, for the law enforcement center, which will include a jail to accommodate 125 inmates and an Emergency Operation Center.
Hamann said the center has the potential to expand in the future, adding another 50 to 60 beds.
Ad hoc committee member Marsha Present was concerned about the center’s appearance.
“I don’t want an industrial park area,” she said.
“It will not look like a state penitentiary,” Hamann responded.
Once the new facility is completed, the existing jail and offices will be put to other uses. Hamann said ideas include storage space and an additional courtroom.
Jeremy Wusterbarth, Oconto’s superintendent of Public Works and ad hoc committee member, said he hoped parking would not be a problem. Without adequate parking, employees and visitors park on the streets, which adds to traffic congestion in the city, he said.
He also wanted confirmation that all utility costs associated with the project will be paid by Oconto County.
Hamann agreed, saying utility issues will be addressed after the county accepts a design bid.
The center’s economic impact was also discussed.
Hamann said the county expects to hire only two or three additional employees to work at the center, but committee members listed other advantages.
“Keeping inmates housed here brings in people and families who will shop here,” Oconto City Administrator Sara Perizzo said.
“We are the county seat. It adds stature to the city,” Oconto Police Chief Dan Ault said. “There is value in that. It shows growth in the city and county.”
Construction of the facility will also bolster employment, according to Hamann.
“I expect local contractors to get quite a bit of the work,” he said.
Ad hoc committee member Don Nerenhausen questioned whether building next to the courthouse was a sound financial decision.
“Why are you destroying all this property at a big expense when you can get other city properties at a better price?” he said.
“Location, location, location,” Hamann replied.
When Nerenhausen pressed the issue, Hamann was curt, saying, “The County Board has made the decision. I’m not discussing it.”
In September, the board reversed its decision to build on a 14-acre parcel in Little River and the following month voted to sell that property and purchase a 4.7-acre block adjacent to the courthouse.
Other committee members spoke in support of the location, mentioning the transportation cost savings and the efficiency of operating one combined facility instead of two separate ones.
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