Sawyer County panel clears Veterans Tribute purchase after environmental testing; owner to remove basement fuel tank
February 20, 2026 | Sawyer County, Wisconsin
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The Sawyer County committee voted to advance the purchase of property for a proposed Veterans Tribute after engineering tests turned up no soil or groundwater contamination.
County Administrator presented SEH’s phase‑2 site testing, saying the firm completed borings, geological logging, headspace screening, and groundwater sampling. “The good news is we didn’t find anything,” the administrator said, summarizing SEH’s executive summary that reported no detections above standards, including no volatile organic compounds in soil or petroleum compounds in groundwater. The administrator recommended the county include removal of an in‑building heating oil tank as a contingency in the purchase offer.
Board members approved a motion to move the project forward with that contingency. The motion—made and seconded from the floor—carried by voice vote. The administrator outlined the next steps: put demolition work to bid, return demo bids for approval at the March 12 meeting, and proceed with concept and design work to prepare bid packages for construction in spring and summer, with a target completion date ranging from Veterans Day to Labor Day depending on schedule.
The administrator emphasized the contingency that the property owner cover removal of the basement fuel tank, noting it may require special removal methods and could add cost. During discussion the committee clarified that the contract and demolition timeline would be developed with corporation counsel and brought back for approval.
The vote authorizes staff to proceed with purchase negotiations and project planning; formal construction contracts and demo approvals will return to the committee and county board for subsequent action.
County Administrator presented SEH’s phase‑2 site testing, saying the firm completed borings, geological logging, headspace screening, and groundwater sampling. “The good news is we didn’t find anything,” the administrator said, summarizing SEH’s executive summary that reported no detections above standards, including no volatile organic compounds in soil or petroleum compounds in groundwater. The administrator recommended the county include removal of an in‑building heating oil tank as a contingency in the purchase offer.
Board members approved a motion to move the project forward with that contingency. The motion—made and seconded from the floor—carried by voice vote. The administrator outlined the next steps: put demolition work to bid, return demo bids for approval at the March 12 meeting, and proceed with concept and design work to prepare bid packages for construction in spring and summer, with a target completion date ranging from Veterans Day to Labor Day depending on schedule.
The administrator emphasized the contingency that the property owner cover removal of the basement fuel tank, noting it may require special removal methods and could add cost. During discussion the committee clarified that the contract and demolition timeline would be developed with corporation counsel and brought back for approval.
The vote authorizes staff to proceed with purchase negotiations and project planning; formal construction contracts and demo approvals will return to the committee and county board for subsequent action.
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