Dunn County attempting to sell former solid waste transfer lot

The Dunn County Board of Supervisors has given tentative approval for the sale of the former transfer station the county used until it ended trash and recycling operations on Dec. 31, 2020.

The board, at its Jan. 15 meeting, also approved exploring the sale of a piece of land along Highway 29 in Menomonie that a developer has expressed an interest in for housing and a child-care facility.

“The board is interested in seeing what development possibilities exist for the former transfer station,” said Kris Korpela, County Manager, of the property at E3900 Highway 29, just west of Menomonie. “We are not using the facility now, and it is a shame to let the buildings sit unused.”

The board is offering the property, which has two buildings and about 10 acres, for sale via sealed bid. The Dunn County Facilities Committee will review the bids and recommend to the County Board which ones to accept or reject. Bid solicitation will occur in February.

The larger building of about 12,900 square feet was built in 1991 and was used as the transfer station. It essentially is a warehouse storage facility with an office and restroom. The second building of 1,200 square feet also is a warehouse facility.

"The property and structure are no longer able to be used for their original purpose and

have been unused by the county for three years,” Korpela said. “With ongoing costs to maintain the property, an aging building, and expressed interest from third parties, the committee has decided a sale through a sealed bid process is the most appropriate way to move forward.”

The transfer station was an integral part of the county’s solid waste and recycling program, but it has been vacant since the county ended garbage and recycling collection efforts in 2021 after it became too costly for many local governments to participate. Local governments now operate their own programs in the county.

The board also authorized Korpela to negotiate with a developer for the potential sale of excess county land of nearly nine acres located between the Government Center and OakLeaf Clinic.

A developer contacted county administration with interest in developing the parcel for older adult housing and a childcare facility. A final sale would have to be approved by the County Board.