County Board overrides Parisi on AEC study

The Dane County Board of Supervisors overrode Dane County Executive Joe Parisi’s veto of a plan to conduct a new market study and master planning process for the 164-acre Alliant Energy Center complex.

A part of the proposed study could recommend replacing the Dane County Coliseum. Parisi objects to privatizing or eliminating 25 county jobs, and to the costs involved in redeveloping the complex. The Coliseum is 49 years old.

“The Alliant Energy Center sits on one of the most valuable properties in Dane County,” said Supervisor Robin Schmidt, chair of the Public Works and Transportation Committee, in a release. “We need this planning process to determine the highest and best use of that property for the greatest benefit for the community and the taxpayer.”

It was the Board’s first override of a Parisi veto.