Space needs analysis for Northwoods Transit Connections gets the green light

The Oneida Vilas Transit Commission’s (OVTC) long-awaited space needs study, a key step in the process of determining the best location for the new home of Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC), is expected to begin soon.

A new home for NTC has been a topic of discussion at OVTC meetings for some time now. The lease for the building NTC is currently housed in, on State Highway 47, runs through October of 2025. 

NTC office manager Barb Newman told The Lakeland Times the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) authorized the awarding of grant to fund the space needs analysis on May 31.

Newman said one bid had been received — from Angus Young Architects/Engineers — to conduct the analysis.

Last week, Newman and OVTC members Fred Radtke and Michael Tautges visited the Stevens Point transit facility. 

“Angus Young was their architectural firm,” Newman said. “The facility is 39,000 square feet and that’s much more than we’ll need. It looked nice. They have office space, training rooms. They have all sorts of things that are much bigger than what we’ll need.”

One of those items is a basement which Newman said is not planned for a new NTC facility. 

“It was just nice to see what they have,” she said. “To see what they would have changed or done better.”

Newman said she hopes the space needs analysis will begin in July. 

“The DOT says we have up to a year to get it done,” she said. “To me, though, the sooner the better.”

Brian Jopek may be reached via email at [email protected].