Plans for a proposed law enforcement center are moving ahead on several fronts.
The law enforcement center is scheduled to be built on a 4.7-acre block adjacent to the courthouse in Oconto. It would replace an outdated facility in the courthouse complex that needs major repairs and has limited capacity. Construction of the $25 million center is scheduled to begin in 2015.
The County Board on Thursday passed a resolution that allows for the acquisition and relocation of the buildings located one block north of the courthouse. Supervisor Rose Stellmacher voted nay; she has opposed all resolutions regarding the courthouse location for the center.
Despite her objections, the project is moving forward.
According to a report by Administrative Coordinator Kevin Hamann, Madison-based SRF Consulting Group has completed all title reports for the 14 properties north of the courthouse. Plus, 15 percent of the appraisals and 30 percent of the relocation plans are complete.
Arrangements are going smoothly with the tenants and property owners affected by the project, he said.
“When we had our public meeting with them, they were all very positive. I don’t see any issue. It’s just going to take time to get it done,” Hamann said.
In case the county meets resistance, Thursday’s resolution allows it to acquire property by eminent domain.
Two key meetings are scheduled this week. The first, scheduled Wednesday, will bring together the county’s Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committee and the ad hoc committee composed of representatives from the city of Oconto. Zoning, parking, aesthetics of the building and other issues are scheduled for discussion.
Three members of the ad hoc committee — Don Nerenhausen, Sue Anderson and Marsha Present — initially collaborated as a citizens committee opposed to the courthouse location for the law enforcement center. They argue the location was chosen in haste without suitable public input, zoning ordinances prohibit the construction of a correctional institution in the residential area, and parking will be a problem because of limited space available, among other concerns.
County Board Chairman Lee Rymer on Thursday reiterated his previous statements regarding the location of the proposed center, saying the County Board made its decision last fall and will move ahead with the project.
Choosing a design firm is the next step.
On Thursday, the LE/J Committee will meet with representatives from an anticipated 30-plus design firms. Hamann said bringing the consultants to Oconto allows them to view the project location first-hand.
“It just makes their proposals much cleaner and better,” he said.
Design proposals will be due April 21, and the LE/J Committee will interview the top candidates in May, then forward a recommendation to the County Board on June 19.
The design firm will start work in early July by gathering input from the stakeholders, including circuit court judges, the district attorney and Sheriff’s Department personnel, along with the public.
A design should be complete by July 2015.
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