Campus

With the recent turnover of the former UW-Richland campus to County control, we have received numerous inquiries regarding property within the buildings (furniture, equipment, materials, etc.). At this time, the County is reviewing the contents of the buildings in addition to its ongoing space needs/architectural review. Currently, no decision has been made whether property contained within the buildings will be made available to organizations or individuals and if so, how that property will be allocated. In addition to its ongoing efforts to create a procedure for submitting proposed uses for the campus buildings, the Board’s Campus Reconfiguration Committee will be discussing the property inside the buildings and its eventual disposition. Again, at this time no decisions have been made regarding any of the property inside the campus buildings, except for that any property specifically known to belong to the UW Alumni Association or the UW Foundation.

Inquiries regarding this matter may be directed to County Administrator Candace Pesch, but the public is advised to follow the proceedings of the Campus Reconfiguration Committee, as the County Board will ultimately make the decisions regarding the property.

Allocation of Former UW-Campus Property Press Release

For Immediate Release

Richland County is dismayed and disheartened to share the correspondence received from the Universities of Wisconsin today. Despite ongoing attempts to negotiate a mutually agreeable end to our partnership, the Universities of Wisconsin has made the unilateral decision to completely vacate the Richland County Campus by July 1, 2024 with no compensation or settlement agreement in place. It is disappointing that the Universities of Wisconsin System is shirking their responsibilities. At no time, under any circumstance, did the legislature indicate that receipt of the $2 million grant would absolve the UW Universities System of their obligations to affected counties. Richland County, which had previously relied on the contractual relationship between the parties, is now facing a potential economic crisis due to the Universities’ decision.

The County Board of Supervisors will consult further with partners and counsel to determine and evaluate all available options going forward.

Questions regarding these developments may be directed to County Administrator Candace Pesch at 608-649-3001.

Official Press Release

UW-Platteville Richland Center Letter and Memo