Members of the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society hope you take the opportunity to make your voice heard on Thursday regarding the future of the Potawatomi State Park Tower.
Built in 1931, the tower was originally built as a way to promote economic development in the since-annexed village of Sawyer. It was closed in 2017 due to decay and wood rot creating unsafe conditions for visitors to the tower. Efforts by the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society bought the society time as they brought in Dr. Dan Tingley from Wood Research and Development to survey the tower and determine if it could be saved. The tower has also since been included on the State Register of Historic Places and the National Registry. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has swayed back and forth on whether they should demolish the structure or make the necessary improvements to make it safe.
Because of its historic designations, Rep. Joel Kitchens has argued the DNR is legally obligated to submit a plan for its long-term preservation. He submitted a bill in September that would have directed $750,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to be used for repairs to the tower. Sturgeon Bay residents Paul Anschutz, Christi Weber, and Kelly Catarozoli spoke in favor of saving the tower in from the Assembly Committee on Tourism in November. Catarozoli, who is a member of the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society, wishes she knew what is taking the DNR so long to make a final decision.
The virtual meeting will take place Thursday beginning at 4 p.m. where you provide verbal comments. You can also submit a written statement to the DNR by February 22nd.
Click the link to register for the virtual meeting, visit this site to submit a comment, or send correspondence to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
C/O Missy VanLanduyt
101 S Webster St. P.O. Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707
Email: melissa.vanlanduyt@wisconsin.gov
