Phelps breaks ground on new 16,000-ft public works building

The Town of Phelps has a number of exciting projects in the works, including a high-tech community center and now a new public works building.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the town’s brand-new, ground-up 16,000-square-foot Department of Public Works (DPW) facility took place the morning of Aug. 15, with community leaders and project partners who were imperative to the project’s success in attendance.

The new facility will offer upgraded DPW maintenance services and a central coordination location for increased efficiency and service delivery to the community.

“This is the first step in an exciting and bright future for everyone throughout the Phelps community,” said Steve Doyen, Phelps Town Board president. “We are pleased to deliver our neighbors the highest level of service and to support our public works team with the resources and environment they need to be successful, as we grow.”

Both the architecture and the construction management services are being led by Wisconsin-based J.H. Hassinger Inc., a full-service design build, general contracting, and self-performance construction firm. Additionally, Reyn Engineering will support the structural engineering, and Mach IV will focus on the civil engineering support.

“We are excited to serve as a resource and partner throughout the design and construction process, as the town expands their infrastructure to meet the community’s future growth opportunities,” said Mike Kirsch, vice president of operations for J.H. Hassinger Inc.

Kirsch greeted the Friday morning crowd by calling the project a “proud and exciting chapter in the town’s history.”

“This new facility will become the backbone for how you care for and maintain the community,” he said, thanking the town board, DPW leadership and crew, and town residents for their support. “Without them, we couldn’t build something this transformative. This is not just to serve you, but generations to follow.”

Kirsch stated during the ceremony that the new facility would provide storage for public works vehicles, along with a wash bay, mechanic bay, office space and a breakroom.

Not enough space

The existing DPW building is woefully inadequate for the town’s storage and maintenance needs, with much of the big machinery being stored outdoors all year long.

“There is hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment sitting out all winter,” said Gene Hojan, president of the building committee. “I have a big problem with that.”

He went on to explain that the limited space means that if a snow plow breaks down in the winter, staff had to remove the entire plow just to have enough space inside to pull the truck in to work on it.

Regarding the state of the existing building, he also wisecracked that it is “the only building in Phelps that is air-conditioned all winter long.”

The two-story, 16,000-square-foot building will offer all the modern amenities, with the upstairs housing the offices and break room. It’s located at 2064 Strong Road.

Joe Czajka, project manager and on-site superintendent, expects construction to be completed by the end of the year. They got started in May, and are expecting the metal building to be delivered this week. Once that is put up, they will begin work on the interior.

“This is just a really good example of how Phelps is looking toward the future,” Czajka said.

Other projects

This groundbreaking event marks an exciting continuation of development momentum throughout the Phelps community, the town said in a press release regarding the project.

The original DPW building is currently being redeveloped to make space for the Town of Phelps Community Center and additionally, several sites are currently under consideration for future redevelopment and growth.

Another groundbreaking project was held earlier this summer for the new community center that is also underway.

The $5.6 million structure is being built behind the current town hall and library, which will ultimately be torn down once the new build is complete to make room for a spacious parking lot.

The plan — which comes in at just over 14,000 square feet — provides a new community center with a prominent front along Highway 17 that will also allow for new town offices, chamber of commerce, and a library that is about double the square footage of the existing library.

Plans also include covered canopy areas which will add nearly 2,800 square feet of additional space to the indoor portion of the center.

There also will be space to hold public meetings, and a centrally located warming kitchen to serve food at large group gatherings. Three large meeting rooms are part of the design, which will create space to offer all kinds of programs to benefit the community, including telehealth and in-person health clinic services; high speed internet; senior meals, outreach and activities; exercise classes and workshops; EMT training facilitated by Nicolet College; and much more.

While the building will bring many upgrades to the town, retaining the North Woods feel was important to designers.

Supervisor Dave Selby noted the building will incorporate historical elements such as large peeled log columns that recall the area’s rich logging history. The interior will also be decorated with local art work and historical photographs that celebrate Phelps. Selby called the building a “showpiece and gathering spot for everyone in town.”

Hoeft Builders, which is leading the project, is confident the construction of the community center will be completed in spring of 2026.