The Dane County Board supervisors voted 28-6 Thursday to create a comprehensive master plan for renovations of the Alliant Energy Center in what one supervisor called the second most important vote of his career.

After more than an hour of debate, the Dane County Board approved a resolution for the creation of a master plan and market survey for the Alliant Energy Center. Motions to amend and return the resolution to committee both failed, highlighting a lack of unity on the issue.

County officials widely agree the center is in need of rejuvenation, but the issues of how to proceed and at what cost to the county have divided the County Board and Executive’s Office.

Supervisors were divided on exactly how significant a step the resolution represents for eventually renovating the Alliant Energy Center.

“This is the second most important issue of my 17 years as supervisor,” Dane County Supervisor, Dennis O’Loughlin, District 20, said.

Proponents of the resolution said it would provide advantages in three key areas in how the county goes about fixing the aging Alliant campus — data, community inclusion and better partnership with the business community. Dane County Supervisor, Robin Schmidt, District 24, said the resolution would provide key information on how to maximize county investment in the center by conducting a comprehensive market study.

County can afford plans to improve Alliant Center, officials said

But other supervisors, such as Dane County Supervisor, Dave de Felice, District 16, pointed to the lack of direction and funding requests within the resolution as evidence of more delay, rather than action. He suggested returning the resolution to committee and narrowing the scope of further marketing studies to focus on proposals the county has already received.

County executive, supervisors clash over process in Alliant redevelopment

A supporter of the resolution, Dane County Supervisor, Sharon Corrigan, District 26, said the market survey would provide more detailed information by building off the previous studies and ultimately allow for better decision making further along in the process.

A motion to remove language highlighting the county’s ability to abandon management of the Alliant Energy Center divided proponents of the resolution. O’Loughlin, who introduced the motion, said the language would be counterproductive to efforts to attract business to the center by signaling the county may abandon the business.

Proponents said the wording was necessary to ensure analysts considered the possibility of the county leaving the center.

The county now awaits proposals from firms seeking to conduct the market study.