You can still send in your comments for or against saving the Potawatomi State Park Tower after the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources held their public hearing on the topic Thursday afternoon.

Dozens of people participated in the hearing as state officials debate whether the historic structure should be repaired, rebuilt, or torn down. The tower is on the National Register and State Register of Historic Places for the role it played in the state’s tourism history, but it has been closed to climbers since 2017. Comments in favor of saving the structure point to the historical nature of the structure and the modest price tag for repairs. One participant called ignoring and delaying repairs to the tower as a “direct attack on this community as a whole” by the DNR. Both Rep. Joel Kitchens and Senator Andre Jacque shared their thoughts during the hearing, calling out the DNR for switching its positions during the process.

REP. JOEL KITCHENS

SEN. ANDRE JACQUE

Opponents to keeping the tower say it should be accessible for all people to experience, similar to the newly rebuilt Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park. Doing something similar would cost millions as opposed to the hundreds of thousands of dollars being suggested to repair the tower. Public comment is being accepted until February 22nd.