Property Committee gives go-ahead to explore other uses for campus buildings

At its Monday afternoon meeting, the Barron County Property Committee approved pursuing other uses for some of the buildings at UW-Eau Claire – Barron County, a request made jointly by County Administrator Jeff French and Campus Director Abbey Fischer. They sought authority to reach out, together with Barron County Economic Development Corp. Director Dave Armstrong, to increase usage of the campus by the community.

Earlier this year the UW Extension educators moved its offices from the Barron County Government Center into a portion the campus library, in what has been described as a win-win solution for both the Extension and the campus.

Fischer told the committee that the UW System is looking at how all of the buildings are being used on each of its campuses.

She said with enrollment at a level where all of the student body can be taught out of Ritzinger Hall this coming academic year, the timing is right to explore other uses for the student center, as well as the physical education and fine arts buildings.

She said with day care as a longtime need in the county, and the lack of it affecting the workforce, Armstrong has suggested the repurposing of a campus building for that use. Fischer was informed that longtime day care provider Hilltop Daycare will lose its lease in 2026. She said the economic development director is working with its proprietors who want to secure a place by September 2025.

"We do believe we have space in the student center," Fischer said.

With committee approval, grants could be applied for to ease the cost of repurposing the student center.

Committee Chairman Dana Heller said addressing the need for day care might even increase the number of students, both at the technical college and university.

Committee Member Craig Fowler agreed, noting that when he was administrator at the technical college the first concern of students was housing but affordable day care was always No. 2.

French and Fischer told the committee they could also foresee the gym being used for additional school or community athletic events and the fine arts building for more community theater as ways to increase usage of those buildings.

HVAC replacement still on hold

In another matter related to the campus, the county administrator said the county has still received only one bid for the HVAC water line replacement. He acknowledged that he is not sure how to proceed with that project — perhaps to continue to make emergency repairs as needed and hold off for another two or three years.

"I don't have an answer or a recommendation," French told the committee.

Fischer said the water line broke twice in 2023 and was fixed fairly quickly both times, and they made it through last winter without incident.

"I, like Jeff, am concerned with only one bid for this project," Fischer said. "We thought we would get a company with the staff and the time."

French said "staging" is a way to complete the whole project in parts over a three-year period, but it would require paying for three staging costs. He said the county would have to borrow for this with a general obligation note.

County Chair Louie Okey asked why the project estimate has jumped from $1.8 million to $2.7 million.

The county administrator said the $1.8 million was an estimate from engineers when the project was originally discussed a few years back.

French replied that there could be any number of reasons for the increase, but most notably costs and inflation have gone up. He said the county should plan for it as a $3 million project to cover contingency should contaminated soil, asbestos or something else be found during the project.

"We need to put in some contingency because in any capital project there are uncertainties, which need to be addressed," French said later.

Committee members talked about reaching out to contractors in person to see if they could get some additional bids.

French said the bid the county has — from Badger State, Inc. of Eau Claire — is only for 60 days, starting Aug. 1. He said he could ask for an additional 30 days to give the committee time to try to secure more bids and analyze them. If extended to October, it could be worked into the 2025 budget, he said. The committee agreed to that timeline.

"The campus is an asset and we have to take care of it," Fowler said. "But we need to look at utilization and what's the plan for all those buildings. I think this needs to be part of a bigger plan."

"It is an asset, and you can't ignore it," agreed Heller. He said after fixing the heating and cooling system the buildings should be good for another 25 years.