New site eyed for National Guard facility in Wausau

July 9, 2010 - The Wisconsin Army National Guard is moving ahead with modified plans to build a new $14.9 million facility in the city of Wausau.

Originally, the Wisconsin Army National Guard intended to purchase 40 acres adjacent to the Fountain Hills subdivision. Tuesday (July 6), the Wausau Common Council was informed of the Wisconsin National Guard's plans to seek an alternate site in Wausau for a field maintenance shop and eventually a new armory.

"In our continued efforts to partner with the city and work in concert with the community and neighbors, we are currently reviewing alternate options that are better suited to meet our needs," said Lt. Col. William Kehoe, a design and project manager for the Wisconsin National Guard.

The new facility will replace the outdated maintenance shop located on 17th Avenue and Sherman Street, which is too small to accommodate the Army's newer, larger vehicles. The present facility also lacks adequate restroom and locker space for its male and female employees. The building no longer meets Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

The new 26,700-square-foot facility will consist of four work bays, as well as administrative offices and personnel areas. The new facility will also include military fuel pumps, a vehicle storage facility and other services to keep military vehicles in working order.

"We are looking forward to finalizing the selection process and purchasing a suitable piece of property, in order to continue forward with the design of this new facility," Kehoe said.

"We realize that the National Guard is beneficial to our community," said Brad Lenz, Wausau city planner. "We want to help them any way possible."

The National Guard has hired HSR Associates, Inc. of La Crosse to construct the new facility. Construction could begin as early as 2011.