State Building Commission approves $253M in projects for clinics, parks, utilities

The state Building Commission has approved $253 million in project money for schools, veteran centers, parks and other institutions across the state, Gov. Tony Evers announced on Wednesday.

“From ensuring guests have the best experience at any of our amazing state parks to making important updates to serve students, veterans, and agency staff, each of these projects enables the state to meet the needs of residents and visitors alike,” Evers said in a statement. “I’m thankful to members of the Commission for approving projects that serve in the best interest of Wisconsinites across our state, and I look forward to our continued work together investing in our state’s infrastructure.”

The commission highlighted the following projects.

• A 25,000-square-foot Health Services Unit at Stanley Correctional Institution to provide health, psychological and dental services to the population. A water treatment plant at the Mendota Mental Health Institute campus, Phase 1 of its water utility improvements project.
• Replacement of several campground toilet and shower buildings at Mirror Lake State Park and Yellowstone Lake State Park to include better ADA accessibility.
• Building trust funds used to kick off planning of campground facilities at Lake Wissota State Park.
• A new Shared Operations Facility to house Fisheries and Wildlife Management at Richard Bong State Park.
• A 15,000-square-foot facility to replace the Ranger Station in Mercer.
• Mechanical system repairs at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Waupaca.
• Building trust funds to start planning and design for the Department of Natural Resources field operation and support facilities in Dodgeville, Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area and Collins Marsh Wildlife Area.
• Approved a different method for replacing the Camp Randall Sports System and a construction manager delivery method for the incoming College of Engineering replacement, both at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• Replacing the Albertson Hall facility at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, including a new learning commons and academic support facilities.
• Projects for UW-Madison, Parkside, Superior and Oshkosh under a program to renew minor facilities.
• Approval for 48 maintenance repair projects for multiple state departments for administration, corrections, health services, military affairs, natural resources and transportation across 14 counties. Projects include State Fair Park and different UW schools.

The commission’s members are state Sens. Janis Ringhand, Jerry Petrowski, André Jacque; state Reps. Jill Billings, Rob Swearingen, Robert Wittke; and sole citizen member, Summer Strand.