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 recommended option 2; the board’s president moved to thank the architect for meeting the contract requirements and then later moved to separate the projects and pursue DPW specifications at this meeting.

Residents who spoke during the citizen-comment period urged prioritizing the DPW building. Sandy Hom West said she would “prioritize the DPW building for a number of reasons” and warned the board to identify how debt service would be paid. Victoria Heckers told trustees, “let’s get those trucks inside,” citing years of plow trucks being stored outdoors.

Fire Chief Joel (last name not specified) told trustees that upgrades to the existing station could reduce nighttime response times, saying, “To answer your question ... the answer is yes,” and later, “we need the infrastructure to do that.” He explained that sleeping quarters and on-site parking would materially lower average response times compared with current arrangements in which personnel largely respond from home.

Trustees and staff discussed sequencing, temporary housing for apparatus during construction, and costs. Trustee(s) cited an architect’s estimate that a steel DPW building would likely cost in the $1.5 million to $2 million range and warned that a larger new fire station could reach several million dollars if deferred, with one board member projecting a 5-year escalation. Board members repeatedly said many line-item cost estimates remain preliminary and that paving, site utilities and other work are not included in the initial building cost estimates.

The motion that passed directed staff to prepare specifications for a new DPW building and proceed toward bid documents; the board did not authorize full construction financing at the Feb. 27 meeting. During debate the board president said a goal would be to have the DPW building “up and running for next December,” but trustees acknowledged that final timelines depend on builders, bids and subsequent approvals.

Opponents requested a capital improvement plan and clearer funding sources before committing to additional work. One trustee said they could not support either option without a five-year capital plan and clarity on whether new plow trucks, staffing or repaving would be prioritized alongside the building program.

The board repeatedly noted that the architect’s drawings remain at the schematic stage and that a design phase will be needed to resolve equipment layout, NFPA compliance items (including decontamination and breathing-air bottle storage) and vehicle bay sizes so new apparatus will fit existing or proposed bays.

What happens next: staff were directed to assemble specifications for a DPW building and to return to the board with bid-ready documents; the board left fire station work for a future phase and signaled more design work would be required before any construction contract for a fire station could be considered.

"We can make those things work," said one trustee during debate, while others emphasized that doing the work now helps avoid greater cost escalation later.