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Portage County approves land swap with Stevens Point despite opposition over courthouse campus loss
Summary
The county board approved a land‑swap agreement that transfers a three‑acre parcel at 1039 Ellis Street to the city of Stevens Point; opponents warned the swap reduces downtown campus space and could increase long‑term facility costs.
The Portage County Board approved a land‑swap agreement with the city of Stevens Point that transfers a three‑acre parcel centered on 1039 Ellis Street to the city, a measure supporters said advances long‑stalled courthouse and jail projects and opponents said will constrain future county facility needs.
The motion, made by Supervisor Marisi and seconded by Supervisor Rockman, carried by recorded vote 19‑4, according to the meeting record. The vote followed an extended debate in which supervisors and county officials gave competing fiscal and planning accounts.
Supervisor Madine said he voted against the swap at committee and said removing 1039 Ellis from the county courthouse campus would limit space for future expansion, parking and secure circulation for courts. Madine argued the county may face “exorbitant facility costs” later and said consultant reports show the renovated courthouse would provide a limited-term solution and that a new courthouse could be required in a couple decades.
Supervisor Matt Chukowski reviewed numeric comparisons and property valuations in the meeting. Chukowski said the city’s current occupancy equals about 19,444 square feet (27% share) while 1039 Ellis totals about 60,000 square feet, a difference he described as 40,556 square feet. Using a $55‑per‑square‑foot downtown commercial estimate, Chukowski calculated roughly a $2,230,000 difference in value and, combining lot value estimates, a paper difference of about $2,480,000 “in favor of the city.” He argued the notional amount equated to multiple years of funding for sheriff or highway staff if counted as county resources.
County Executive Pavelski and other backers said the swap reduces overall county costs and moves long‑stalled projects forward. County Executive Pavelski said the county previously purchased 1039 Ellis for $1,900,000 and that renovating the courthouse and moving projects forward would save taxpayers compared with building a new courthouse. He warned that construction inflation makes delay expensive and said moving projects forward now lowers long‑term costs. The Mayor of Stevens Point spoke in support, saying the swap saved the county “over $50,000,000” compared with building new and praised the cooperative relationship it creates between city and county officials.
After discussion and public exchange of figures the board voted to approve the land‑swap agreement, 19‑4.
