The state took a step forward in protecting the Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower, but there is still a long way before its fate is secure.
Governor Tony Evers and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole made the joint announcement Monday afternoon at the foot of the Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower that the state has selected GRAEF to move forward with the next phase of the project. That phase will include providing the state with a pre-design through construction services. The Milwaukee-based firm also has locations in Madison, Green Bay, Chicago, Minneapolis, Orlando, and Miami. It counts the expansions of Green Bay’s Lambeau Field and Kress Events Center, and the Milwaukee Art Museum among its projects.
Governor Evers also announced that the project would be a part of the 2023-2025 biennial budget if he is elected. Secretary Cole says it became clear in public feedback that people wanted the tower to be there but that there was a want to make it inclusive for all to enjoy.
The announcement did not change the mind of some in attendance who wanted action on the present structure, which has been in a state of decay since the tower was closed to the public during the Walker Administration. Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Rep. Joel Kitchens says this just moves the timeline further into the future. He would have rather heard plans to fix it now and make other plans to improve the structure later.
While Governor Evers said, funding for the revitalization of the tower would be in the budget, no dollar figure was mentioned. It was also unclear how much, if any, of the existing tower would be saved. The Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower, which was constructed in the 1930s, is a part of the National and the State Registry of Historic Places. Governor Evers suggested it would not be until this time next year that we will know if the project will move forward with support from the state legislature.
Former Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, who is looking to challenge Governor Evers for his seat if she wins the Republican nomination, said in a press release Monday that she would authorize the money to make the immediate repairs to the tower if elected.
