MONROE — City and county officials are considering three sites for what could be a joint effort by the two governments to build and share a modern public works garage.
During a special ad-hoc meeting, officials reviewed a feasibility study involving three key pieces of property in the city. All three potential properties are north of Wisconsin 11 and currently just outside the city limits.
“It is anticipated that the selected site will be annexed into the City of Monroe and receive water and sanitary services from the city, which will be further discussed later in this study,” the study said.
The three sites include:
● Aebly Road
Property is located off Aebly Road (county road), west of Wis. 69, and is currently owned by Green County. The property to the east is currently owned by Menards, which has had off and on discussions over the years about developing the site for retail.
● Donny Property
Property is on 36.5 acres off County DR, north of City of Monroe Industrial Park. Monroe officials are working with the land owner to purchase a portion of land directly north of County DR for a new industrial park. The proposed Public Works Facility would be north of this new industrial park and east of Badger State Trail. The industrial park property has yet to be purchased but officials say such a transaction would not be difficult.
● Dolan Property
Property is 37.5 acres north of Walmart Super Center on the west side, north of Wis. 11. The property to the north is owned by an excavating contractor with some land that may be developed in the future.
The options cost between about $14 million to $14.6 million each to purchase, develop and bring online with city services, including water and sewer service line extensions, roads and road extensions, and other site improvements.
Officials said the study and its findings will help both the city and county evaluate the feasibility and options of working together on a public works garage — something they have said is unprecedented in the state. Those options will include which property, functions and expenses are shared.
“The site layouts were created to provide a separate traffic flow for City and County vehicles as well as an isolated entrance area for office staff and visitors, including access to the public waste yard bunker,” the study said.
At first blush, at least, Green County Chairman Jerry Guth said he favors the Dolan property due to access to highways for county highway vehicles.
“One of the issues the county will have to deal with is how much is the county considering to help in the infrastructure and improvements,” said Guth, noting that he was only stating his own opinion in favor of the Dolan property.
“My only problem with the Dolan property is if there is any future expansion, it’s going to be really expensive,” said Ald. Andrew Kranig. “How does that weigh out in this?”
There is a lot of parity between the options, officials agreed, but each has specific requirements, costs, and potential.
“They all really do provide some different advantages and disadvantages,” City Administrator Brittney Rindy said, adding that officials from both governments would be studying the document for direction. “There is no guaranteed future developments.”
Several others spoke in favor of the Dolan property but all the options are still under consideration, Rindy maintained.
“The ultimate goal is we’re trying to find what’s best for both organizations long term,” she said.