The Badger Herald

NEWS

Dane County votes against new facility

JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo

Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.

Also by Keegan Kyle:

Nothing to complain about? (December 12, 2007)
Recruiting isn't easy on campus (December 7, 2007)
Doyle set to sign off on ethics (February 2, 2007)
Volunteerism on the road (October 19, 2007)
Down and dirty on campus sanitation (October 11, 2007)

by Keegan Kyle

Friday, May 4, 2007

TOWN OF DUNN — The proposed site for a national disease research center 15 miles south of the University of Wisconsin campus received fierce opposition from the Dane County Board of Supervisors Thursday night.

The board voted 19-7 in favor of a resolution that formally opposes the UW-proposed site in the Town of Dunn for a National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility. The land is currently owned and operated by UW for other research facilities.

For several hours, the board debated postponing the nonbinding resolution until the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announces its narrowed list of potential sites for the 520,000-square foot facility.

"If there is a resolution, it may be enough to knock us off the list," Irwin Goldman, a UW horticulture professor, told the board. "Right now, the Department of Homeland Security is looking for any reason to take a site off the list."

The postponement failed by one vote, 14-13, but several board members cited different reasons for choosing immediate action on the resolution.

"I don't see us having a lot of authority down the road in making the selection of a different location," Dane County Supervisor Patrick Miles, District 34, said. "If this property is inappropriate, as I think it is, it should be off the list."

Not one member of the county board voiced support for the Dunn site chosen by UW administrators. Goldman defended the site, but without Chancellor John Wiley or another administrator present, he was unable to field some specific questions about the site's choice.

Board members called the site "the absolute worst location possible in the country" since it has been adamantly opposed by local residents, several of whom testified in favor of the resolution Thursday.

Currently farmland, the Dunn site is the university's only proposed site for the DHS research facility, competing with 17 other national bids. University officials have said Dunn's proximity to airports, the campus and the interstate could make it a competitive location.

Renee Lauber, land use manager for Dunn, staunchly opposed the university's choice, saying it would conflict with the town's land use plan.

"We are very clear on the issues with the property," Lauber said. "Letting the university come in and determine what land to use is urban sprawl."

Feedback

Show all comments

Hide anonymous comments

Anonymous (May 4, 2007 @ 10:41am):

"For several hours, the board debated postponing the nonbinding resolution"

So if it was nonbinding then it really means nothing. I just paid taxes for you to hang out for a few hours and talk?

And really? It was "the absolute worst location possible in the country?" How the hell do you figure? Ive never even heard of the stupid town of Dunn. If you build it, he will come.

Anonymous (May 4, 2007 @ 2:35pm):

Only a liberal would vote against a huge new employer moving in. It's good for the UW, good for the State of Wisconsin and good for everyone -- even the VERY short-sighted people in Dunn. That's why towns don't get the final say on land-use.

Roland Nimby

Add a comment

We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.