8-8-24 state building commission approves $262 million in projects across wisconsin

WEST ALLIS — Gov. Tony Evers today announced the Wisconsin State Building Commission met at the Wisconsin State Fair and approved a total of approximately $262 million in key projects across the state.

“The projects approved today are critically important for folks across our state, including upgrades to the Milwaukee Mile Speedway to ensure we are ready for the Milwaukee Mile in 2025, the construction of a new technology and education center at UW-Green Bay, and the land purchase for the new Wisconsin Veterans Museum,” said Gov. Evers. “Among the critically important projects approved today are the facility updates at Lincoln Hills School. These updates will bolster our efforts to help keep staff and youth in our care safe while making necessary changes aimed at ultimately transitioning the facility to an adult institution as we work to close Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake and move our kids closer to home as soon as safely and responsibly can.”       Gov. Evers has long supported efforts to close Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake and reform Wisconsin’s juvenile justice system, having proposed measures to do so in his 2019-21, 2021-23, and 2023-25 state capital budget proposals. In April 2022, Gov. Evers signed Senate Bill 520, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 252, which furthered the eventual closure of Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools following 2017 Wisconsin Act 185 by authorizing up to $41.7 million in bonding for the purpose of constructing a new Type 1 juvenile facility in Milwaukee County. Once the new Type 1 facility is online, the state will be able to begin moving youth housed at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools closer to home safely and responsibly, bringing the state a step closer to allowing the remaining Lincoln Hills facility to be used for adult corrections and helping to alleviate staffing and capacity challenges at other adult institutions.

Highlights of the Commission’s approved projects include:

• Authority to construct the new five-story Cofrin Technology and Education Center that will replace the old high-rise library with a state-of-the-art, multi-use facility. This landmark project will house the library, campus administration, and the departments of Student Success and First Nations Education. The new building will feature sustainable elements like a green roof, solar panels, and natural landscaping. This exciting development will revolutionize the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Green Bay campus, offering cutting-edge academic, technology, and administrative spaces.
• The purchase of land and improvements as authorized by 2023 Wisconsin Act 19, located at 22 W. Mifflin Street and 30 W. Mifflin Street in the city of Madison, on behalf of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for what will become the future construction of a new Wisconsin Veterans Museum. 
• Construction of several toilet/shower and vault toilet replacement buildings at Hartman Creek State Park and Pattison State Park that are essential for failing facilities. These projects will ensure camp goers have adequate access and can continue to utilize the facilities year round.
• Replacement of the Grantsburg Ranger Station in Burnett County for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that will expand office space for additional staff, as well as enhance the fire response facility to best meet DNR’s fire safety and conservation needs in the area.
• Authorization of three facility repair projects for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), focusing on building envelope and roof repairs at Mendota Mental Health Institute and Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center. These projects are essential for maintaining and upgrading the integrity of these important health facilities.
• Authorization of Central Plant and Utility Distribution renovations at the UW-Milwaukee Central Heating Plant and the UW-River Falls Heating Plant; an elevator modernization at UW-Whitewater as part of the Minor Facilities Renewal Program; and minor instructional space renovations at UW-Madison’s Brogden Psychology and Van Hise Hall, UW-Platteville’s Boebel Hall, UW-Eau Claire’s Hibbard Hall, and UW-Whitewater’s Center for the Arts.
• Authorization of facility maintenance, repair, and renovations for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC), including window replacements at Robert E. Ellsworth Correction Center and Wellhouse 2 and 3 replacements at Black River Correctional Center.  
• Authorization of camera upgrades at Waupun Correctional Institution, including transitioning cameras from analog to digital and replacing cameras in the Restrictive Housing Unit, furthering the safety of staff and individuals in the care of the DOC.  
• Authorization of living unit locks and controls replacement at Lincoln Hills School to enhance the safety of staff and youth and further the eventual transition of the facility to an adult institution.  
• Authorization of repairs and improvements to the Milwaukee Mile Speedway to ensure safe racing conditions. These repairs include replacing existing modular walls with poured-in place concrete walls, replacement of debris catch fence systems, drainage improvements and storm sewer replacements, and rehabilitating asphaltic surfaces.
• Authorization for 24 facility maintenance and repair projects across multiple state agencies, including DOC, DVA, DNR, DHS, and the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, as well as State Fair Park, Wisconsin Historical Society, and the UW System.