City takes another step toward construction of public safety building

The City of Rhinelander has chosen a company to provide preliminary designs for a new emergency services building that would replace the aging police and fire building on Brown Street.
On May 12, the common council voted unanimously to direct Mayor Kris Hanus to sign a proposal from Wendel-Five Bugles for Phase I design work for the proposed emergency services building at a price not to exceed $29,500.
“As you may recall, city staff have spoken about the state of disrepair that the police/fire station is in at the moment,” city administrator Patrick Reagan wrote in a memo to the alderpersons. “This facility was built in the 1960s and, quite frankly, is beyond its expected, useful life. The fire chief, the police chief, and I have spoken at length about the need to replace this building. Unfortunately, these buildings are not cheap, nor would we want a building that is cheap. In order to apply for grants and other funding, it is necessary that we have, at a minimum, a preliminary design for this building – most funding outlets will require a design, as well as an expected project budget, in order to qualify for funding. The fire chief, police chief, and I put forth a “Request for Qualifications” in order to find a qualified engineering/architectural firm to do the preliminary design of this proposed building. After receiving back Statements of Qualifications from qualified firms, and interviewing two firms for this work, the group chose Wendel/ Five Bugles as the preferred firm. We found that they have many years of experience in designing these buildings, and also have former emergency services directors that will best help us find the best design for our needs. As you will see from their agreement, Phase One of this design work will cost $29,500. Staff are proposing that the funds for this work be appropriated directly from the 2025 bi-annual borrowing.”
Prior to the vote, Reagan emphasized that a preliminary design is a necessary step that must be completed before the city can apply for grant funding.
“We need this done because many of the grants that we’re gonna go after, they want to see a design,” he said. “They don’t just want to take your word for it. They actually want to see the design of it.”

The project is estimated to cost $15 million.
The city has not yet determined where the building would be located.
“We have reviewed a number of available sites within the city and are currently in discussions to select the site that will work best for the needs of the community,” Reagan told the Star Journal.
Other business
In other business, the council approved a map designating the streets to be included in the new truck route. The route was developed by the mayor, city administrator, police chief, fire chief and streets foreman in response to direction from the council last August.
An increase in commercial truck traffic on Davenport Street prompted the city to consider establishing an official route for heavy trucks.
At the time, police chief Lloyd Gauthier explained that the city did not have an ordinance that covers truck routes and it’s up to the council to determine if there should be a route.
A copy of the newly approved map will be maintained in the city clerk’s office. More information on the truck route can also be found on the city’s website, https://www.rhinelanderwi.us/news_detail_T21_R119.php.
Future agenda item
At the end of the meeting, during the time when alders are asked to suggest “future agenda items”, Hanus asked that the council discuss the possibility of making Brown Street into a one-way street. He stated that he wants to determine whether the council members have any interest in making such a change.
To watch the full council meeting, visit www.hodagtv.com.