Howards Grove schools, Wells Fargo, 52 Stafford: The latest on several Sheboygan County projects

SHEBOYGAN – From an overhaul of school upgrades to the future use of a former bank, several projects are ongoing in the Sheboygan area.

The School District of Howards Grove is making headway on its middle school and high school changes and the city and Sargento’s Gentine family closed on purchases of a Wells Fargo bank and historic Plymouth hotel, respectively.

Here’s what to know about three ongoing developments in the county.

Howards Grove school upgrades and construction underway

Construction on upgrades to Howards Grove High School and a new middle school addition part of a $ 40 million referendum are underway, following groundbreaking in the spring.

Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work has finished in the athletic hallway of the high school, according to a district newsletter from Superintendent Shannon Kilton. The ceiling will be replaced before the school year begins. Window replacements and renovation to the Library Media Center will also finish before fall.

For the new high school office, concrete has been poured for the foundation and steel erection is being finished. Forthcoming interior work to the high school addition include installing fire protection lines and adding new HVAC systems.

New tennis courts have also been paved and final surfacing will start after a 30-day period to let the material harden. Fencing will be installed, too. The courts should be ready for use in the fall. The track will be stripped and resurfaced ahead of the first football game, against Kohler High School Aug. 23.

Work on the middle school addition includes pouring concrete and installing water lines.

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No plans yet for former Sheboygan Wells Fargo

What could replace the former Wells Fargo Bank is still up in the air, following the city of Sheboygan’s purchase of the building .

City Administrator Casey Bradley said in an email city staff are working with the county’s contractor on an assessment, which could be followed by mitigation of any issues identified at the site.

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“As far as projects are concerned, we have a few different interested parties and are working through potential projects at this time,” Bradley said.

The city allocated $1.7 million in funding for the purchase, part of the revised TID 21 plan. The land is currently zoned in the central commercial district.

Sargento’s Gentine family purchases 52 Stafford for $980K

The Gentine family purchased the 52 Stafford building for $980,000 and the former H.C. Laack building at 227 E. Mill St. for $650,000, according to property sale records. This follows a spring announcement the family would purchase and pursue historical restoration efforts, including structural repair and weatherization.

There are no updates yet for what the family is planning to do with the buildings, both registered to the state and national registers of historic places. 52 Stafford closed at the end of 2023 as a result of ongoing financial challenges.

Have a story tip? Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com . Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner .

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Howards Grove schools, Wells Fargo, 52 Stafford: The latest on several Sheboygan County projects