UW, Town in Tiff Over Lab Turf; $450 Million Facility Near Madison Would Employ 300 People

May 21, 02:01 PM

Current Headlines: By JOHN DIEDRICH

Wisconsin is in the running to land the nation's new high- security lab that will study foot-and-mouth disease, bird flu and other deadly animal illnesses.

The $450 million lab is projected to employ at least 300 people and generate more short-term jobs to build it. The National Bio- and Agro-Defense Lab would dovetail with the University of Wisconsin- Madison's expertise in animal and human health studies and help serve the state's agricultural industry, supporters say.

"We have an opportunity to have a high-level, high-class facility," said Mark Bugher, director of the University Research Park.

But there's a snag with the lab's proposed location.

UW officials, who pitched the project, suggested putting the lab on land the university owns southeast of Madison, in the Town of Dunn. A number of residents have come out against the idea, some citing safety concerns, others because they don't see a 520,000- square-foot, guarded building fitting in with the character of their quiet community.

"The whole point of land use is there are certain appropriate uses of land," said George Corrigan, a patent attorney who owns a home in Dunn. "This would change the area dramatically."

Wisconsin's proposal is one of 17 being considered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which will run the lab. Federal officials were here in late April and expect to whittle the candidate locations down to three to five finalists by the end of June.

But before that group is announced, the Dane County Board took up the issue and voted to oppose the project at a May 3 meeting. The board would be asked to rezone the town's land for the project.

Backers argued that opposition and the board's vote were premature because all details of the project weren't out. They said an environmental study would take residents' concerns into account. Opponents said they have seen enough.

The opposition might be enough to spike the project here.

Chris Kelly, a spokesman with Homeland Security, said Wisconsin isn't the only site with opposition, but he noted that some bidders have had only positive reaction.

"It is a factor," Kelly said. "We are very observant of community interest and acceptance of (the lab)."

To get the lab, there must be at least 30 acres and support to accommodate development of the building, access to research facilities and a good work force and support from residents and the larger agricultural community.

Support is strong from farmers, said Bill Bruins, a dairy farmer in Waupun and president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. He said the lab would support the state's multibillion-dollar farm animal industry.

"It is extremely important and in the best interest of Wisconsin that we keep livestock in our state strong and healthy, and I tell you what, what better tool to have in your toolbox than the best lab in the country and maybe world to detect and diagnose animal diseases?" Bruins said.

The lab would replace an aging lab on Plum Island off New York, which has been criticized for security lapses. The new lab will have the highest security rating and study diseases that pass from animal to animal and from animal to human. It also would study "evolving bioterrorism threats" over the next 50 years, Homeland Security says.

The project is set to be awarded in November 2008 and built by 2014.

By the time UW learned about the project, others were already working up plans. Wisconsin bidders aren't sure how others got the jump, but it forced them to move quickly. The university pitched using land at its Kegonsa Research Campus, where it has two other research buildings. The lab would be on 40 acres near Lake Kegonsa. Officials saw that the town's land use plan allowed for agricultural labs and figured this fit.

A giant office building is not what the town had in mind, according to Corrigan.

Irwin Goldman, associate dean for research in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, who helped write the proposal, said the lab would be a perfect fit for the university and the state. But he isn't interested in ramming the plan down Dunn's throat.

Since the opposition arose, other communities in the area have suggested they get the lab. Goldman is hopeful that federal officials may like Wisconsin's plan so much that they consider another site. But Kelly, of Homeland Security, said the selection process does not allow for new sites to be considered.

Corrigan said he isn't worried about the lab's safety, as some are, noting that other UW labs safely deal with pathogens. For him, the issue comes down to arrogance by the university to think it could put the lab in Dunn without thinking about the town's rights.

"They thought they could steamroll the town, and they are finding out the town has a little more wherewithal than they expected," he said.

The Farm Bureau's Bruins said he appreciates Dunn's rural character, but he said residents have to consider what's best for all.

"I have learned in my position it is very seldom what I want, it is always about what is best for the greater good. This is one of those situations," he said.

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