West Bend, WI – County Executive Josh Schoemann created a University Campus Task Force to review the county’s interest in repurposing the UW-Milwaukee at Washington County (UWM-WC) college campus in the best interest of taxpayers.

The Task Force will be comprised of five to seven members appointed by the county executive and chaired by County Treasurer Scott Henke. The members include Joel Ongert, Mayor, City of West Bend; John Torinus, Ret. CEO Serigraph; Adam Williquette, President, American Commercial Real Estate; and Jamie Wolski, VP of Property Management Operations, Wangard Partners.

Higher education is in crisis due to declining enrollment and demographic trends, resulting in the closure of many two-year colleges, including the UWM-WC campus this past July. Washington County is the major stakeholder of the almost 200,000 square foot campus building and 80-acre property. For the past decade the county has been the caretaker of the building and property and allocated millions of dollars toward its upkeep.

The county is examining the repurposing of the vacant campus and grounds and has been approached by numerous organizations, including non-profits, schools, and community groups who have put forth suggestions for the best use of the facilities.

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