Wausau City Allocates $50,000 for Police and Fire Station Design Study

The Wausau Finance Committee voted 3‑1 to set aside $50,000 from the city’s reserve fund for design and consulting work on a new police station and a redesigned central fire station. Half of the money will be contracted to FGM Architects to assess the police department’s needs, while the fire department will work with Five Bugles Design at a cost of $10,000‑$15,000. The remaining portion is reserved for potential overruns or unforeseen expenses.

Police Chief Matthew Barnes said the study could address current space constraints and, if a $10 million solution is identified, could ultimately save the city tens of millions over the next decade. The full council is scheduled to consider the proposal in August. The vote was opposed only by Alder Matt Hoenecke; Alder Sarah Watson was excused.