Why does the Village need a new building when the current facility on Lakeview Dr. was built in 2000?In 1998, the town board commissioned a space needs study that was completed by Sommerville, Inc. Based on operations in 1998, and population projections of 9,050 people in Suamico by 2020, the study recommended that the town construct a 12,500 square foot facility to meet current and future needs. However, due to the public at the annual town meeting decided to authorize only $750,000 rather than the $1.5 million needed. The facility constructed in 2000 was less than half of the size recommended in the study (7,000 square feet). In 2001, the town board commissioned a facility study on the needs of the public works department. The study was completed by Community Development Systems, a division of Martenson & Eisele, Inc. It recommended that a new building of 20,000 to 25,000 square feet of useable space be constructed in a central location west of Highway 41. No action was taken on the recommendation.Nine years later, with a population of 10,945 people, the Village of Suamico developed a comprehensive list of municipal services that has outgrown current locations and were in need of additional space, particularly public works and police.
How did the Village determine the proposed location?Criteria were established based on a 2007 Municipal Facilities Master Plan completed by the firm, SEH Inc. Based on this plan, it was identified that a minimum of 10 acres was needed and that the facilities should be centrally located in the community. The site should also have space to meet future expansion needs as the community continues to grow.
The Village board and staff evaluated eleven sites that potentially fit the criteria. Of the top five properties, one was discounted as it was bisected with a rail line and the other four did not have willing sellers in 2008. We also explored an additional site on West Deerfield which was too expensive ($3.5 million for 16 acres and it is a potential Brownfield).The Velp Ave/Wood Lane site was not one of the original sites identified; however, it does meet the needs of the police and public works departments and met similar “pros” associated to other sites identified.
Why can’t you locate the facilities at the site of the current Village hall?
The current Village hall site is on land purchased in part with Wisconsin DNR Stewardship Funds. These funds help local governments acquire or develop land for public outdoor recreation and conservation purposes. Because of this, much of the land surrounding the Village hall parcel cannot be used for additional construction.
If the additional facilities were added at the current site on land without these restrictions, at a minimum, two ball diamonds would need to be relocated at an approximate cost of $175,000 each. At this time, the Village has no other community park land on the east side of the Village for that purpose. We do have additional land in Calavera Park that might be suited for this type of activity.
What is happening to the existing buildings?In the immediate timeframe the current poperties will continue to be used for village purposes. The current site on Lakeview Dr. lends itself well to recreational activities with the proximity of the park and other outdoor facilities. If the Village hall is relocated at some point in the future, the existing building may be considered for a year round community center, recreation headquarters and meeting space, some other reuse.
How much did the Village pay for the new property?On September 9, 2008, the Village authorized the purchase of the 13.7 acre parcel for $389,900. It has a little over 10 buildable acres. On average, a quarter acre residential building lot ranges in cost between $30,000 to $40,000. The price paid for the 13.7 acres was a very good price.
What about the wetlands on the property?When driving by the property it appears to be heavily wooded with and covered with wetlands. The wetlands delineation has already been completed. All proper permits will be in place before construction begins.
We have a little over 10 buildable acres which should allow enough room for the facility needs now and for the next 50 years. We also plan to preserve as much of the wooded area as possible to act as a natural buffer and preserve the rural character of the community.
What is going to be located on this site (the new property)?The intention is that the public works and police operations will be moved to this site in Phase I. If it’s determined to be cost effective, additional phases may include the municipal court/Village board room and the relocation of the Village general offices.
What is not going to be located on this site?Recycling operations and the fire department will remain in their current location for now. A search for a permanent home for the yard waste recycling center is currently underway and the eventual remodeling or relocation of Fire Station #1 is a part of the future long range plan.
Will noise be an issue at the new site?The area has a natural wooded buffer zone between where the buildings will be located and the neighboring residential area. This wooded area will remain. In addition, normal public works operations are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In the event of an upcoming snowstorm, the snow removal trucks are made ready the day before. Residents may hear the back-up signals of the plow truck as they reload with sand and salt during storm activities.
How will this project affect my taxes?The Village board worked to stabilize the tax rate attributable to debt in preparation for the construction of this building. Currently the portion of the Village tax rate attributable to debt is $1.72 per thousand of assessed value based on an evaluation prepared by Ehlers and Associates, the Village’s financial advisor. This figure takes into account the debt for this building project as well as the needed debt for capital projects for the next five years. The tax rate for debt should remain stable at $1.72 per thousand.
What will be impact on traffic?Impact on traffic will be minimal. The police and public work’s vehicles will be entering and exiting the site off of Wood Lane. A circle drive will be designed to minimize the need for backing up vehicles. General business traffic for Village operations averages approximately 40 cars per day, which will most likely enter and exit using the Velp Avenue entrance. As the original location of Highway 41 and currently a County Trunk Highway, Velp Avenue is designed to handle a large volume of traffic. Brown County Highway Department has been aware of the property purchase of the stated uses and will not require a traffic study due to the low volume of vehicle trips generated. They have also not altered their Capital Improvements Plan to upgrade Velp in any way as a result of locating these facilities on this site.
What are the Village’s next steps?The Village is working with a local architectural firm, Dimension-IV, to design a building plan that will meet the Village’s needs well into the future. The approach to the municipal services facility will allow residents to access all municipal services at one location with the exception of the fire department. Plans for the grounds include a neighborhood park similar to the one located at Whisper Ridge, as well as preservation of the historic Robert Vickery Farm site on the property. The Village will also take advantage of the terrain on the site to incorporate as many sustainable building practices as possible.
Is the upcoming property re-valuation a result of this project?
No. The upcoming revaluation of all Village properties is mandated by the state when a municipality’s value falls below 90% of fair market value. The property re-valuation is state mandated and will occur whether or not this proposed project moves forward. The revaluation is not a result of this building project but rather a State of Wisconsin mandate.
For a tour of our existing facilities or additional information, please contact Karen Matze, Suamico Village Administrator at (920) 434-2212 or karen@suamico.org.
phase 1a of the municipal services center, which includes the public works vehicle storage and a salt/sand shed.
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