Shawano County sheriff’s candidate Adam Bieber is floating the idea of a multi-agency mega-complex that would be housed at the Shawano Medical Center property after the hospital moves to its new location.
In a Facebook posting Tuesday, Bieber wrote that an ultimate goal would be moving the Sheriff’s Department, Shawano Police Department, Shawano County Social Services, Department of Community Programs and the state Department of Natural Resources into the facility.
“Together we would work better together and provide a better, more efficient service and save money in the long run,” Bieber wrote.
Bieber is challenging incumbent Randy Wright in the Aug. 12 Republican primary race for Shawano County sheriff.
The winner faces a challenge in the Nov. 4 general election from Independent candidate Lucas Christenson, of Shawano.
Shawano Medical Center, at 309 N. Bartlett St., will move to a new building adjacent to the ThedaCare Physicians-Shawano clinic on County Road B in early 2015.
The Shawano Common Council in February agreed to partner with ThedaCare to hire a consultant to market the Shawano Medical Center property to prospective buyers for commercial development. That’s contingent on gaining clear title to the property from the heirs of Susan Smalley, who originally donated the land for park use.
An ad hoc task force that studied future possible uses for the property recommended options that included a waterfront supper club and lodge and a mix of condominiums and town homes, along with additional green space and a park shelter, and two single-family residential lots.
Shawano City Administrator Brian Knapp said a property developed along the lines recommended by the task force could add anywhere from $5 million to $10 million to the tax base.
Wright on Wednesday criticized Bieber’s proposal.
“I don’t think this has been researched very well by him,” he said.
Wright said the relocations of those offices to the SMC site would leave behind numerous vacant properties in the city and take a valuable waterfront property off the tax rolls.
It would also separate the sheriff offices from the county jail, which the department also oversees, he said.
Wright said the cost of converting the aging building for law enforcement use is another consideration.
“It would be more costly than building brand new,” he said.
Bieber said in an interview Wednesday that he has not yet looked at the costs. He said the idea originally came from some members of the Common Council and County Board.
“Having everyone together in one justice center would be great,” he said.
He said several of those agencies would save the rent they’re paying where they are currently located.
Bieber also said involving other law enforcement and government agencies would allow the cost of moving to a new or remodeled building to be shared, if the cost turns out to be reasonable.
“If it’s not cost-effective, let’s not do it,” he said.
Bieber said it was just one option he would present to the County Board.
“There are other ideas out there and I would see what the board wants to do,” he said. “I’m not married to any plan and if they say no, I’m not going to throw a fit.”