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Muskego committee votes to refer former police station demolition for cost study after heated debate
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Summary
The Committee of the Whole voted to refer a proposal to tear down the former police station to the Department of Public Works for cost estimates and feasibility after a contentious discussion among aldermen and public commenters.
Aldermen on the Muskego Committee of the Whole voted to refer a proposal to the Department of Public Works to obtain quotes and analysis for tearing down the city’s former police station, following a lengthy and at times contentious debate about the building’s future.
The motion, introduced by Alderman Schrader, directs Public Works to collect demolition estimates, hazardous-materials assessments and related information so the council can consider a detailed resolution at a later date. After debate, the committee recorded a roll-call that showed Decker, Schrader and Madden voting in favor and Kabacki and Schwer voting no; the motion to refer carried and Public Works will produce a packet with costs and scope for a future meeting.
The discussion split aldermen and members of the public. Critics said the committee had not established a clear need for the building and called prior direction unclear. “We have no numbers, no facts, no reason to even go forward in any way, shape, or form with this building,” one alderman said during the discussion. Other members pushed staff to pursue external funding opportunities before abandoning the structure. Mayor (unnamed in the transcript) argued staff had an obligation to report back when potential outside funding appeared: “Don’t I have an obligation, though, even though you guys said no to that, of saying we have…” (paraphrased from the transcript).
Resident Kathy Chevarotti told the committee the public wanted clearer information about which items were being recommended and which required later council votes. The city attorney cautioned members against making a final demolition decision without an engineer’s report and a full accounting of costs and hazardous-materials abatement.
What happens next: Public Works will compile demolition cost estimates, hazardous-materials survey pricing and any related fiscal notes. The committee’s referral does not appropriate funds; it asks staff to return with the data necessary for a formal council decision.
Provenance: This article is based on the Committee of the Whole discussion beginning with the “former police station discussion” item and the subsequent motion and roll-call (transcript segments SEG 1839 through SEG 2779).
