Riverbend Place stops child placements; county explores reuse and rezoning options

Washington County Health and Human Services staff told the committee the Riverbend Place facility no longer houses children as of Nov. 30.

"As of November 30, there are no longer any children placed in the Riverbend facility," Julie Driscoll said, adding that the county is working through contract closeout with the contractor Norris and that facilities staff will take over the building to manage it as vacant property while the county determines next steps.

Driscoll said the county has a formal agreement with Waukesha County for two shelter beds and that the county has listed Riverbend with Emer Realty. She said one assisted-living provider toured the site and was interested, but concluded the rooms were too small for conversion and that renovations would be costly.

Committee members asked about zoning and whether the building could be marketed to other users. Driscoll said the property is currently classified as institutional and that representatives who spoke with the city of West Bend indicated the city would "entertain some rezoning to, like, a multifamily" use if appropriate. She cautioned that marketability could require substantial renovation costs.

Next steps: county facilities staff will manage the building as vacant, continue negotiations with the current contractor on turnover timing, and pursue marketing and rezoning conversations with the city and prospective buyers.