Administrator outlines 9-month campus redevelopment process; board authorizes sale of recovered campus items

County Administrator Terry Kalish told the board the campus reconfiguration committee voted to engage Short Elliott and Hendrickson for a roughly nine-month process to complete a market analysis, site review and stakeholder engagement on campus redevelopment.

Kalish described a phased approach: market analysis and site assessment; public engagement and preparation of an advocacy position paper identifying development opportunities and potential funding sources; then creation of an RFP/marketing package and evaluation of proposals to support development agreements. Handouts summarizing the vendor’s scope were made available to board members.

The administrator also said the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will tour the campus and review grant expectations related to a $2,000,000 grant the county will receive; Kalish said staff will ensure compliance with the grant terms. Separately, Brian (campus reconfiguration committee) reported that several platinum laboratory instruments and other small items were found on campus and evaluated by a local jeweler at roughly $1,300 total; the board approved a resolution authorizing sale of those items and deposit of proceeds to Fund 32 (campus fund).

Kalish additionally noted campus utility liabilities: staff recently received a gas bill from the time between the UW system departure and county control for about $36,000; sale proceeds were described as one small offset to carry costs.

Ending: The county will proceed with the nine-month redevelopment engagement, maintain compliance activities tied to the WEDC grant and sell unneeded recovered items to deposit proceeds to the campus fund; the committee and administrator will return with further updates and procurement materials.