Oneida Vilas Transit Commission eyes Rhinelander site for office and bus facility

The Oneida Vilas Transit Commission (OVTC) has sent a letter of intent to purchase property to the city of Rhinelander. 

The OVTC has been looking for a new home for Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC), the public transportation partnership the two counties have.

“It’s over by the soccer fields by the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles),” NTC manager Barb Newman said.

In the June 26 letter to Rhinelander mayor Kris Hanus, OVTC chairman Marv Anderson explained the commission is “currently leasing” for NTC “and planning to build a facility for administration, bus maintenance, and storage.”

Anderson said in the letter a facility and needs assessment survey was completed in 2024 as was a facility location analysis earlier this year and the funding to purchase four acres of land from the city of Rhinelander comes from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Federal Transit Administration and the Aging and Disability Resource Centers of both Oneida and Vilas counties. 

“We propose collaborating with the City of Rhinelander through a letter of intent to purchase the land,” Anderson wrote, adding before negotiating a price, the OVTC will fund a government appraisal, certified survey map and a National  Environmental Policy Act study.

“Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to a successful partnership,” Anderson concluded. 

Rhinelander city clerk Austyn Zarda said Tuesday the OVTC proposal — and whether or not the city council is willing to sell the four acres of land — will be on the agenda for the city council’s July 14 meeting. 

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