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Committee approves three 2026 CIP projects for Rhinelander shop; one member opposes
Summary
The committee voted to move forward with three capital improvement projects tied to the Rhinelander shop campus; members asked for more detailed site prep, environmental, ADA and financing information before larger commitments.
Committee members approved moving forward with three County-approved 2026 capital improvement (CIP) projects related to the Rhinelander shop facility and associated campus work, but members said additional site and financing details are needed before construction.
Highway Commissioner Alex Hegeman said Kraus Anderson is reworking the facility presentation and preparing RFPs for designers for the approved 2026 CIP work. Member Robb Jensen raised a list of site and cost questions—whether a retention pond would be required, estimated cost to remove contaminated soil, ADA requirements, future expansion capacity, estimated site-prep costs for a new site, sewer and water opportunities with the city, potential city assumption of Kemp Street, the commercial value of the current site, and the economic development impacts. Jensen also asked for a financing comparison of $16.5 million versus $22 million scenarios and for identification of other funding sources.
Members debated whether to continue upgrading the current campus or pursue a larger relocation; member Billy Fried favored moving forward with the present CIP and making the improvements last 10–20 years. Commissioner Ted Cushing said electrical issues must be addressed regardless of location.
A motion by Bob Almekinder and Billy Fried to proceed with the three approved 2026 CIP projects carried; Robb Jensen recorded his opposition. The committee did not adopt a detailed site-selection decision and asked staff to bring additional cost and site data to future meetings.
