Oconto County and the city of Oconto are tying up a few loose ends regarding the construction of a law enforcement center next to the courthouse in Oconto.
The city held a public hearing Tuesday regarding vacating Adams Street and two alleys located in the footprint of the LEC.
Oconto County Administrative Coordinator Kevin Hamann said it might be advantageous for the city to vacate the alleys right away, so they can be used by crews who will demolish the 14 buildings at the LEC site.
The county purchased the one-block stretch of Adams Street, from Park to Arbutus streets, from the city. Adams is located between the courthouse and the site of the LEC, and is where the LEC and courthouse will connect.
A secure corridor is planned for the transfer of inmates from the LEC to courtrooms in the courthouse. Another corridor will provide access between the two buildings for staff members and the public.
Once the county takes ownership of Adams Street, the street will close. Closure is scheduled to occur this summer once the utilities are shut off under the street.
Closing the street will reduce the amount of parking available near the courthouse, where limited parking already causes congestion on side streets nearby. To alleviate parking problems, Hamann said a gravel parking lot will be constructed off Park Avenue on the east end of the property set aside for the LEC.
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