Projects approved by Commission include 11 UW System projects, efforts to complete the Milwaukee Crime Lab, and stewardship property development funds

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced the Wisconsin State Building Commission approved important projects totaling approximately $103.4 million statewide, including authorization of Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program Property Development funds and efforts to complete the Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility for the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) to replace the outdated, overcrowded, and deficient existing Milwaukee Crime Lab.   

“Whether it’s working to preserve and protect Wisconsin’s proud tradition of conservation that has defined our state for generations, upholding our commitment to support systems that address crime and keep kids, families, and communities safe, or investing in the higher education institutions that are key to the future economic growth and prosperity of our state, all of the projects approved by the Commission on Feb 28th, get at the heart of many of our key priorities as a state,” said Gov. Evers. “I am glad that my fellow bipartisan commissioners and I could find common ground in approving these funds so these important projects can move forward in communities across our state.”  

KNOWLES-NELSON STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM  
Included in the Commission’s list of approved projects is the authorization of $500,000 in Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program (Stewardship Program) Property Development funds authorized under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), Wis. Stats. for the Friends group and nonprofit conservation organizations located across the state supported by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Friends group and nonprofit conservation organizations are authorized to receive up to $500,000 in matching funds each fiscal year for projects at DNR properties. A total of 32 Friends group and nonprofit conservation organizations projects have been selected for approval. A summary of those projects is available here.  

A long-time advocate for the continued success of the Stewardship Program, last week, as part of his 2025-27 Biennial Budget Message, Gov. Evers announced that his 2025-27 Executive Budget will provide the largest increased investment in state history for the Stewardship Program while reauthorizing the program for the next decade. Under the governor’s proposal, the program would be reauthorized through 2036 at $100 million annually for a total investment of $1 billion.  

In his 2021-23 Executive Budget, Gov. Evers proposed reauthorizing the Stewardship Program for another 10 years through June 30, 2032, with an annual investment of $70 million. Unfortunately, Republican lawmakers reduced the governor’s proposal, and the program was only reauthorized for another four years. As a result, the Stewardship Program must be reauthorized in the 2025-27 state budget, or the program will expire in 2026, and along with it, the crucial support it provides to local governments, state park friends groups, and land trust and conservation organizations across the state to preserve and protect Wisconsin’s vast and valuable natural resources.  

FORENSIC SCIENCE AND PROTECTIVE MEDICINE FACILITY 
Additionally, included in the below list of approved projects is the Commission’s approval to complete the Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility that will serve as a new state-of-the-art home for the state of Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Crime Lab, Milwaukee County 911 Dispatch, and the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office. In addition, the four-story facility will include the relocated Versiti Blood Research Institute, a current Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus partner.   

The Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility is being funded with $99.5 million in state funds approved in August 2022 by the Commission. After multiple previous attempts to move this project forward failed, in September 2022, Gov. Evers announced an additional $20 million grant for Milwaukee County to assist in the construction of the facility. This additional investment directed by Gov. Evers ensured the project could meet the threshold needed to begin construction and prevented the project from once again being stalled. The governor participated in a groundbreaking event for the facility in November 2023.  

The Commission’s actions on Feb 28th, build upon the Evers Administration’s long-term efforts to address crime, prevent gun violence, and bolster efforts to keep kids, families, schools, and communities safe. In recent years, Gov. Evers has directed more than $100 million of the state’s allocation of federal relief funds toward community safety and violence prevention efforts. In addition, as announced by Gov. Evers during his 2025 State of the State address, the governor’s 2025-27 Executive Budget includes a comprehensive plan to address crime, keep kids, families, and communities safe, and enact commonsense measures to prevent gun violence. The governor’s comprehensive plan also includes his announcement of a new statewide Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention, which will work with law enforcement agencies and local governments and with school districts, nonprofits, and firearm dealers to administer grants supporting violence and gun violence prevention efforts statewide.  

Highlights of the Commission’s approved projects include: 

• Construction of a new campus dormitory at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. This more than 50,000-square-foot facility will replace the existing Huff Hall, incorporating essential safety features and creating a more integrated campus environment. 
• Authorization to complete the Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility for DOJ to replace the outdated, overcrowded, and deficient existing Milwaukee Crime Lab. The project creates synergy and advances forensic sciences into a modern, state-of-the-art facility. 
• Construction of a large-scale utility improvements project at Mendota Mental Health Institute (MMHI) in Madison that will provide reliable utility services to MMHI and the Central Wisconsin Center. 
• Authorization of Stewardship Program Property Development funds for the Friends group and nonprofit conservation organizations across the state supported by the DNR. 
• Release of funds to prepare a preliminary design for the Stewart Tunnel repair at Badger State Trail, preserving its historic infrastructure and addressing safety concerns. 
• Release of funds for the University of Wisconsin (UW) System for 11 projects that were enumerated in 2023 Wisconsin Act 102 and Act 19 to develop preliminary plans and specifications. These projects encompass various utility replacements and renovations, building demolition across multiple campuses, and a laboratory renovation and expansion. 
• Demolition of outdated campus buildings as part of the Multi-Building Demolition Program, including four buildings at UW-Eau Claire and the old chemistry building at UW-Milwaukee. These removals will eliminate safety hazards, enhance environmental conditions, and create a redeveloped green space at UW-Milwaukee. 
• Construction of the UW-Stout Communications Technology Classroom renovations as part of the 2023-25 Instructional Space and Technology Improvements Program. This project will convert outdated classroom and laboratory space into modern, general-access classrooms and a digital video laboratory, addressing current instructional demands and evolving pedagogical needs. 
• Construction of the UW-Stout Multi-Building Exterior Envelope Maintenance and Repair project as part of the 2023-25 Minor Facilities Renewal Program, which will replace windows, repair masonry, update lighting, and improve structural integrity to prevent water and air infiltration. 
• Authorization of eight facility maintenance and repair projects across various state agencies, including the DNR, Wisconsin Department of Administration, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and the UW System, ensuring continued functionality and safety of critical infrastructure. 

The Commission is chaired by Gov. Evers and made up of the following members: 

• State Sen. Brad Pfaff;
• State Sen. Mary Felzkowski;
• State Sen.?André Jacque;
• ?State Rep.?Jill Billings;?
• State Rep. Rob Swearingen;
• State Rep.?Robert Wittke;?and
• Citizen Member?Barb Worcester.