Wausau City Hall. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau Finance Committee has voted to set aside $50,000 from the city’s reserve fund to cover potential design and consulting fees related to a new Police Station and redesigned Central Fire Station.
Police Chief Matthew Barnes says the departments have stumbled into a unique opportunity that could solve the space issues with Fire Station 1 while setting the Police Department up for a generation. However, they won’t know that for sure until they get more information. “In order for us to be confident in the information that we are providing the council on what those real costs are, we need experts.”
Half of the $50,000 pot would be reserved for FGM Architects, who would work with the Police Department to conduct a comprehensive assessment and provide a renovation cost estimate for the North-South Building. The Fire Department would work with Five Bugles Design, a group they’ve worked with before, at a rate of $10,000 to $15,000. The remaining funds would be set aside in case of overruns or unforeseen expenses.
City staff noted that Five Bugles’ estimate was likely lower because of their institutional knowledge of the department.
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Barnes says he hears and appreciates concerns about the city’s current debt load. But he sees this as a possibility that’s worth investigating. “I don’t know of anyone who says ‘I look forward to debt,’ or ‘I look forward to projects and spending.’ But, we have a responsibility to the community to be as smart and efficient with their money as possible. This is simply to look at this project and ask, ‘Over the next decade, is this smart?'”
“If there is a $10 million solution that saves the city $30 or $40 million at some point in the future- to me, $50,000 is a worthwhile investment to be able to identify that now,” added Barnes.
Chief Barnes maintains that the department is happy where they are and doesn’t need additional space. But at the same time, they aren’t positioned for growth. Should the department grow beyond 81 sworn officers, the new recruit would not get a locker. Additionally, closets have been converted into offices, and the department has carved out a drug testing area in what was once a bathroom.
Tuesday’s vote was 3-1, with Matt Hoenecke voting no. Alder Sarah Watson was excused. The full Council will consider the proposal in August. Should Marathon County pass on the city’s proposal for the property, the money would go back to the reserve fund.
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