(Beaver Dam) Officials in Beaver Dam will get input from engineering students in moving forward with plans for a new police station on the former YMCA property. Mayor Tom Kennedy says the opportunity presented itself by chance as part of discussions related to the Weyco project. Bob Lemke, who is a partner on a Weyco project, is a professor of architectural engineering with the Milwaukee School of Engineering and he thought the project would be a perfect fit. He says the students will be divided into three groups and gain practical, real-life experience in construction management, structural engineering and mechanical design, among other things. The work of the students is not intended to replace the work of accredited architects but may offer a different perspective to decision makers. Final designs and models will be available by the time paid engineers begin to draw up their own plans this spring. Deputy Chief Dan Schubert says the fresh set of eyes will be welcome. The students will be designing a new police station from the ground up. The city, however, will be deciding in coming months if they will be building new or remodeling. The city’s Operations Committee last night approved the expenditure of $1500 for student materials.
