You will see the same treatment for the Kewaunee County Highway Shop as you did for the future Kewaunee County Jail. The newly-formed Kewaunee County Highway Shop Sub-Committee will meet for the second time early next month after hosting an initial session in November. The committee's goal will be similar to the Public Safety Needs Assessment Study Group as they go through the same process as the highway shop. Because of the committee’s work, the county was able to trim nearly $10 million off the final price tag compared to an estimate two years prior. 

A year ago, Kewaunee County Highway Commissioner Todd Every pushed for improvements at its main highway shop across the street from Bruemmer Park in Kewaunee. Every pointed out the age and size of the 1930s-era facility as the reason for the upgrades. The county spent approximately $28,000 for a pair of studies to determine needed improvements. A complete overhaul of the facility, including replacing several buildings, carries a price tag of $26 million. A phased-in approach would tackle the important projects first, costing about $10.5 million. 

Every told the Door County Daily News this week that even though the project does not have the same urgency as the jail did due to state inspection, they are working inside aged facilities with many of his components going beyond its typical service life. He says that several factors must be considered before determining when work could start and what would be included in a new or rehabbed facility.