Village board authorizes separate process for new DPW building after multi-hour campus debate

The Village of Waukesha Village Board voted 3-2 on Feb. 27 to separate plans for a new Department of Public Works building from a proposed fire station project and to authorize staff to develop specifications and bid documents for a new DPW building.

The split came after more than an hour of public comment, staff presentations and trustee debate about long-term campus needs, cost estimates and the fire department’s response times. Supporters of separating the projects said a focused DPW build would protect vehicles from winter exposure and address immediate operational needs; opponents warned that deferring a new fire station risks rising construction costs and could complicate compliance with National Fire Protection Association standards.

At a workshop earlier this month the board asked architects Fisher & Fisher to present two options: build a new DPW and renovate the existing fire station (option 1) or build a new fire station and move DPW into the former fire facility (option 2). The architect…