An Oshkosh company will perform a hazardous material investigation at the 14 properties being removed to make room for a law enforcement center in Oconto.
The Oconto County Board selected American Air Environmental Services, of Oshkosh, to perform the investigation of the buildings one block north of the courthouse. The cost is $16,200.
“Once we get that report, depending on how much asbestos is over there or whatever else, then we have to contract with someone to remove it,” Oconto County Administrative Coordinator Kevin Hamann said.
Construction of the LEC is scheduled to begin in July, with completion in late 2016. The complex will include jail housing for up to 175 inmates, a sheriff’s administration area and 911 center.
The County Board is scheduled to review and approve a final design Feb. 19. A resolution regarding bonding for the center is scheduled to be passed in February or March. The LEC cost has been set at $5 million for acquisition of properties and design work, plus $25 million for construction.
“Things are still on schedule, still on budget, but we still have some unknowns,” Hamann said.
One of the unknowns is the cost of asbestos removal. A second unknown is the quality of the subsoil at the site.
The County Board reviewed three bids for soil-testing services before choosing the low bid of PSI, of Green Bay, for $8,456.
Kurt Berner, a consultant with Samuels Group hired by Oconto County, said a soil analysis will help determine the foundation of the LEC.
The borings were scheduled to be completed this week, with a soil analysis completed in early February. The soil borings for the LEC will be taken from as deep as 36 feet, or to what Berner described as “auger refusal.” Borings for the parking lot will be 7 feet deep.
Berners said pilings at the 1993 addition to the courthouse are just over 30 feet deep, due to soil quality. The LEC might also need a deep foundation, which will be easier to achieve because the homes and businesses will be removed from the area, he said.
“We can over-excavate and potentially bring in some engineered fill,” Berner said.
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