MARINETTE — A meeting that initially lacked updates on the developments at the University of Wisconsin — Green Bay, Marinette Campus, evolved into a series of discussions.
The Marinette County Infrastructure Committee met last Wednesday to discuss any updated business on the property. It suspended its standard rules to have an open discussion with the 25 people in the audience.
County Administrator John Lefebvre said the purpose of the discussion was to move the committee’s ideas forward so they don’t waste people’s time when they try to attend every meeting where this topic is up for discussion.
“I’m sort of looking for ideas from the committee as to when you want this put on the agenda,” Lefebvre said.
He suggested putting the words “Action” or “Information Only” in the agenda when related to the UW issue. If the agenda says “Action,” he said it would signal the need for community members to join. “Information Only” would mean they’re only sharing information, with no vote to take place.
He said he hasn’t been notified by UWGB that they are terminating the lease between the county and themselves, so the issue doesn’t have a rush factor.
“I don’t really have any new information,” Lefebvre said.
He said he has no idea if the county qualifies for the recently announced grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, which would award up to $2 million for redevelopment.
They’re actively discussing the Max E. Field House property with the Greater Marinette-Menominee YMCA, and Bay Lakes Regional Planning has contracted Stantec to complete an environmental analysis. He said the results would likely come before the county in August.
Jenni Campbell, CEO of the YMCA, said they’re comparing the costs at the fieldhouse site vs. the existing location in Menominee.
“We have a very large interest,” Campbell said, regarding the fieldhouse.
Lefebvre said the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council is not interested in the fieldhouse property but is still considering the main campus property.
Lefebvre said he would like to learn the status of the buildings, including the roofs, equipment, and the possibility of lead-based paint and asbestos.
“I would like to see more information about the buildings,” Lefebvre said.
Andi Rich, who is running for the newly restructured District 12 State Senate race this November, spoke about the PFAS issue. Having a local testing facility funded through grants would save costs.
“Having this facility here might be a huge benefit,” Rich said. “I know right now there’s a lot of motivation to address this issue at all levels of government.”
Lefebvre considered putting a follow-up discussion for UW on the August agenda. The big player in this is the WEDC. He estimated that the county would see the grant application by the end of the year.
“There’s a lot of ideas out there,” Lefebvre said. “Everything costs money.”
He said he’s had experience with testing firms — they’re few and far between because they are expensive.
Supervisor John Guarisco was unmoved by the grant.
“I’m really skeptical as far as us qualifying for any of that money,” Guarisco said.
Doug Oitzinger, city alderperson, said that the conversations on UW have revealed that the county may have to partner with multiple organizations to parcel out the buildings.
“I think it’s pretty obvious there’s not going to be someone riding in on a white horse that’s going to take all of the property,” Oitzinger said.
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