The Chequamegon–Nicolet National Forest Supervisor’s Office will be relocating to a new Rhinelander location, 500 North Hanson Lake Road, the first week of November.
The new building, formerly housing the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, will be more convenient for public access and feature “green” initiatives, funded in part by a federal stimulus grant.
The U.S. Forest Service purchased the building, located within city limits, from the State DOT. The agency has long supported providing more sustainable administrative facilities and its decision to purchase eliminates monthly lease payments, thus optimizing every tax dollar spent, according to officials.
From the interior to the exterior, the renovated building reduces, reuses and recycles with features including a white reflective roof that reduces the demand for cooling, environmentally friendly bathrooms, and furniture manufactured to meet the National “Green Guard” Certification Standard for Materials, Components and Environmental Practices.
Many of the materials taken out during renovations were recycled through the Second Story program of Oneida County Waste Management.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funded $200,000 toward renovations of the “green” office. The CNNF’s partnership with Blackwell Job Corps enabled students of various vocational training programs to gain a hands-on learning experience working at the new site. This relationship significantly contributed to lowering the total renovation cost.
“The relocation of the Rhinelander office into a more sustainable facility falls in line with our agency’s goals and mission of reducing our ‘carbon footprint’ and strengthening our on-going partnerships,” said Jeanne Higgins, CNNF Forest Supervisor.
In addition to its sustainable features, the office will provide the public with easier access to the building, and give the agency the capacity to host public meetings. The public is invited to tour the new location during an open house Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 2 to 5 pm.
The current location on Stevens Street in downtown Rhinelander is owned by the General Service Administration (GSA) and the lease has expired. The future of the building will be determined once the move has occurred.
During the move on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 2 - 4, the office will be closed for business as employees will not have access to their computers. The office will reopen for business on Thursday, Nov. 5. The public can visit the Forest Service website (www.fs.fed.us/) or call the Park Falls and other district offices for service.
