Gov. Evers engages Army Corp of Engineers to develop COVID-19 care facility at State Fair Park

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday, April 9, announced the Army Corp of Engineers has officially been engaged and started mobilizing at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park to begin the development of an alternative care facility (ACF) for coronavirus.

“We are extremely appreciative of FEMA and the Army Corp of Engineers for their responsiveness as we continue to see an increase in the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 in Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “This alternative care facility will be a critical addition to the southeastern region of our state and will be essential to continuing to ensure our healthcare systems are not overwhelmed.”

To construct the facility, the Army Corp of Engineers signed a contract with Gilbane, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A number of local subcontractors have also signed-on to assist in constructing the ACF at Wisconsin State Fair Park, including:

• HGA (Design)
• Johnson Controls
• Staff Electric
• F. Ahern
• Hetzel Sanfillipo

Additional details regarding facility operations, acuity level, and patient capacity will be shared as they become available.

“I want to also share my sincere gratitude to the Wisconsin State Fair Park leadership, including CEO Kathleen O’Leary and Chairman John Yingling,” said Gov. Evers. “Their willingness to open their doors to support the region’s residents during what may be these folks’ darkest hours, is exactly the kind of servant leadership that illustrates how Wisconsin’s best are stepping up and in to respond to COVID-19.”