Marshfield City Council Moves Forward with Police Department Renovation Plan

MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) — In a move that has sparked debate among city officials and residents, the Marshfield Common Council voted to proceed with a renovation of the Buffalo Building at 2504 S. Central Ave., which will serve as the new location for the city’s police department. The decision came after a detailed feasibility study revealed that the renovation would cost nearly as much as constructing a brand-new facility on an empty lot.

The Buffalo Building Proposal

The Buffalo Building, a commercial property on the south side of Marshfield, had been identified as a potential site for the police department after the city took ownership of it last fall. The previous owner, Dan O’Connell of Wildwood Real Estate, LLC, offered the building and the 1.7 acres of land it sits on to the city for free. Since then, city officials have been weighing the pros and cons of renovating the existing structure versus building a new facility from the ground up.

Michael Maas, Senior Architect at Lake Delton-based ADCI, presented three renovation plans during a special council meeting on July 23. These plans ranged in size from approximately 35,000 to 42,000 square feet and in cost from $13.2 million to $14.1 million. Maas highlighted that while the building’s existing structure would be utilized as much as possible to keep costs down, significant renovations and expansions would be necessary to accommodate the police department’s needs.

Maas told the council that the Buffalo Building would work for the purpose of a police department, however, he also noted that the renovation would require extensive work, including installing an automatic fire protection system, modifying utilities, and replacing the asphalt in the parking lot.

Current Police Department Shortcomings

The Marshfield Police Department’s current facility, located at 110 W. First St., was built in 1981 and is approximately 18,000 square feet. According to ADCI’s review, the department has long since outgrown the space, with many areas no longer compliant with ADA standards. Staff members are frequently forced to repurpose spaces for uses they weren’t designed for, highlighting the need for a new facility.

Maas reported that a properly planned facility for the police department, with room for future growth, would need to be around 37,500 square feet. The Buffalo Building, constructed in 1996, offers approximately 23,400 square feet, necessitating expansions to meet the department’s needs.

Council Debate: Renovation vs. New Construction

The council’s decision to move forward with renovating the Buffalo Building was not without debate. Alderman Rebecca Spiros raised concerns about the high cost of the project and suggested that the decision should be put to a public referendum. City Clerk Jessica Schiferl explained that recent changes in referendum laws would make it difficult to organize a referendum by the November elections, as the city would need to finalize all plans and costs before proceeding.

Alderman Mike Feirer opposed the idea of a referendum, citing past failures of similar measures and noting that in his 24 years of government, referendums haven’t passed often. He argued that it was the council’s responsibility to make difficult decisions without relying on voter input.

In contrast, Alderman Mike O’Reilly supported a referendum, emphasizing the importance of taxpayer input on such a significant expenditure.

Moving Forward: A Contentious Vote

Despite the debate, the council ultimately voted to proceed with the renovation, with the funds coming from capital improvement project borrowing. The decision was contentious, resulting in a tie that was broken by Mayor Lois TeStrake, who opposed the referendum and voted in favor of the renovation.

Police Chief Jody Geurink expressed the urgency of the project, noting that the department’s needs are only growing.

The renovated Buffalo Building is expected to meet the police department’s needs for the next 15-25 years. The next steps include finalizing renovation plans and securing the necessary funding, and ensuring that the new facility will serve the community’s needs for decades to come.

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