“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” — Henry Ford
Recently, exciting news was released announcing the proposal for a medical residency training center to locate in the soon-to-be-vacated hospital campus. Today, I would like to recap the process and give public thanks to many who helped during this nearly two-year effort.
On June 12, 2013, the council adopted Resolution 52-13, which allowed for the appointment of a task force whose purpose was to make recommendations for future development of the hospital campus. Appointed were Jeanne Cronce (chairperson), Terry Hilgenberg, Russ Schmidt, Sheree Repinski, Robyn Shingler, Doug Knope, Holly Zander, Chuck Dallas, Elaine Knope and Todd Raether. The task force gathered community input through public forums, and the information was used to approach developers statewide. Thank you, task force members, for your time and valuable contribution.
Also in 2013, the city and ThedaCare began meeting on a regular basis to work through the process and consider redevelopment opportunities for the 11-acre site. Guiding principles were used as a framework for decision-making and advancing in a spirit of cooperation and partnership. The four guiding principles were as follows:
1. We value our community. We are committed to serving the community and making the community’s needs a priority. As we consider opportunities, we will put the needs of the neighborhood and taxpayers first. We will respect the waterfront.
2. We respect our partnership. Rather than undertake a costly and time-consuming process to divide the property, as well as potentially diminish reuse opportunities, we will commit to a collaborative decision-making process for the entire property.
3. We will wisely steward our financial resources and opportunities. We will work to maximize the financial value of the property to both organizations, while working to minimize the financial cost to both organizations. We agree to share fairly in the costs associated with this process.
4. We seek strategic economic value. We commit to work toward a future use that is an economic asset to the community, meets a community need and offers economic strength to the community. We will give priority to future use opportunities that create jobs and increase the tax base.
Shawano Medical Center President/CEO Dorothy Erdmann is deserving of sincere thanks. She was the city’s primary contact person and she faithfully participated in every meeting throughout the nearly two-year process. She was instrumental in helping establish the guiding principles and ensuring they were followed. Thank you also to the ThedaCare team and their legal counsel, who helped develop agreements to allow this project to move forward.
A marketing firm was hired to look for development projects. An assisted living proposal was presented. However, the selected project was actually brought forward through SCEPI Chief Economic Development Officer Dennis Heling. He deserves many kudos for introducing the city and ThedaCare to the developers’ lead consultant for the residency training center project. When discussions about this project began, the developers asked for strict confidentiality. All partners honored that request (common when discussing large developments). Other facets of this endeavor will be shared as the project progresses.
Thank you to City Administrator Brian Knapp. His expertise as details were reviewed was invaluable. Knapp’s analytical skills, along with his financial background, were critical as agreements were discussed and developed.
I would also like to thank the Shawano Plan Commission members, Industrial and Commercial Development Committee members and the Common Council members for their valued input and enthusiastic support for this project.
We’ve been receiving a very positive community response regarding this exciting development opportunity. We all realize there are no guarantees, but be assured there are protections and contingencies in place if the development project meets with unforeseen challenges. We are optimistic and supportive and will continue to keep you informed as the project moves forward.
The answer to last week’s question — Who were the pastors at St. James in 2001? — is William Otte, Michael Schram and Fred Zimmerman.
This week’s question is: Whose 2001 business ad said, “Our family serving your family since 1925”?
