BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – Residents are being asked to weigh in on the future of the Brown County Fairgrounds.
County officials are looking to develop a master plan for the property.
Parks Director Matt Kriese is asking people to complete a five-minute online survey.
“It asks whether you’ve used the property, what you’d like to see in the property. Maybe even some event organizers will take a look at that survey and help us out with some of the infrastructure needs that would meet their needs better.”
While they have not drawn up any conceptual designs, Kriese notes county officials have been looking at a few specific areas of improvement, one of those being the century-plus old barns on the property.
“Whether we are going to look at repairing those, whether we are going to look at one large building that provides us more flexibility out there.”
Kriese says they also hope to find ways to develop the riverfront for recreation.
“Whether that’s a trail connecting all of the communities, maybe kayak launches or stand-up paddle board launches, protecting the wildlife, adding boat slips in there.”
While investments were made in 2016 to fund infield grading and electrical upgrades, Kriese notes it has been more than 20 years since building-related improvements were made.
The county received an $80,000 grant through its Stadium Board to hire a project consultant, Rettler Corporation.
The deadline to complete the survey is October 27, with Rettler then gathering the results and presenting the findings to the county’s Development Committee in November.
“We will look through those results and from that point, the consultant will develop conceptual plans. We’re looking to invite the public in, take a look at these concepts, and then evolve those concepts into one final plan.”
Kriese hopes the process will wrap up by January.
He notes the county is looking to invest $3.5-million dollars into the fairgrounds over the next five years.
Click here to access the survey.
