Waupaca’s new facility to open in spring
By James Card
The construction of Waupaca’s new Public Works building on the corner of Michigan and Harding streets is ahead of schedule.
City staff estimated the project is 70% finished and the department plans to move in by late March or early April.
“When it started out, it felt like it was going slow but once the shell and the frame started going up, it seemed to go really quick. We hired Miron as a prime contractor and they’ve done a very good of keeping track of the schedule, getting the materials ordered and working with us,” said Justin Berrens, the city’s Director of Public Works.
“The council has had a big part in this, approving the budget and being efficient on those types of approvals and getting that down to the contractors. And the boots on the ground at the site have been doing a good job of staying on track. The winter weather has been fantastic. You couldn’t ask for a better winter to work through,” said Berrens.
The majority of topsoil is already down and once the spring weather warms they will seed and mulch the area and plant some trees. Berrens said there will be a site history of Haberkorn Field in the lobby.
“Unlike a road project, when we shut a road, we’re trying to open it up as fast as we can to reduce the disturbance to the public. We have our older buildings now but we have the luxury of being able to move in at our own pace,” said Berrens.