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Winnebago County assumes former UW Fox campus, seeks partners; board confirms appointments
Summary
The county reported it assumed ownership of the former UW Fox campus on July 1, has brought key staff on to operate the Barlow and childcare, and is conducting a facilities assessment; the board also approved several appointments including Brenda Pluchinski to District 23.
Winnebago County's county executive told the county board that the county assumed responsibility and ownership of the former UW Fox campus on July 1 and outlined steps already taken to preserve childcare services and reestablish programming in campus facilities.
The county executive said Menasha has taken over childcare operations at the site and the county has rehired two former UW staff who ran the Barlow theater to continue operations. "We've had a lot of interest from the community who used these facilities in the past to continue or expand their usage," the county executive said, and the county is working to get the Barlow back up and running "as a county function" and to begin programming in the field house and other spaces.
Officials said a facility study is underway and expected to be finished in August; that study will examine repair, repurpose and demolition options and the cost to modify portions of the campus to host county services such as the Nina human services building. The executive said the county is pursuing a mix of short-term programming and longer-term options to build tax base and preserve the campus's cultural legacy. He also said the CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is scheduled to visit the property on Sept. 17.
The board handled a set of personnel actions and appointments tied to county commissions. The board appointed Brenda Pluchinski to fill the District 23 county supervisor seat; the appointment was made by motion, seconded and carried by voice vote. The board also reappointed Greg Kargus to the Board of Adjustment for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2028, and approved three citizen appointments to the ARPA Strategy and Outcomes Commission: Sean Fitzgerald (Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce economic development director), Brandon Hennis (City of Omro administrator) and Don Mercas (former mayor of the City of Menasha). Motion and second for those appointments were recorded and the items carried.
In other personnel notes, the county executive acknowledged that staff member Reese Phillips plans to leave at the end of the month to return to school; Phillips addressed the board and thanked supervisors and staff.
Board members asked that the county continue outreach and keep supervisors updated on the campus plan as the facility study and partner discussions progress. The county executive said he will provide regular updates to the board going forward.
