Platteville Fire Station Taking Shape

Serving approximately 15,500 citizens in 136 square miles, the Platteville Fire Department needed an upgrade, as its current facility was inadequate to serve the growing population. The new fire station will include a large seven-bay apparatus storage area with drive-through access, as well as two stalls for a command garage, which will ultimately improve response time. Designed by Wendel-Five Bugels, the station will include rooms to aid firefighters and EMS personnel after the service call. A gear locker room, decontamination areas, and upgraded ventilation systems help remove contaminants keeping both personnel and their families safe. The station incorporates flexibility by including dormitory units and living quarters should a future need arise for full-time firefighters. Administrative space includes offices, community/training rooms, and conference space. Masonry veneer is wrapping up this month, and our masons are transitioning to interior CMU walls. We have prepped the slab-on-grade in the administration area and will continue into the apparatus bay once the underground MEP installations are complete.

Wenger Springbrook Cheese Starting Construction

Through strong recommendations from other nearby Kraemer Brothers built cheese factories, Wenger Springbrook Cheese selected Kraemer Brothers to assist with their plant expansion. To keep our client operational, this project will be split into two phases. The first phase will consist of constructing new loading docks, designated offices, and connection corridors to the second phase. Phase two will add a cooler, expand the dry storage area, and renovate the existing cooler into a packaging room. To accommodate access to the new addition, Wenger Springbrook Cheese’s current lagoon will be relocated, and a new drive lane and parking lot constructed in its place. The addition will be constructed of precast concrete panels and utilize knockout panels for easy future expansion. A third-generation family-owned cheese company, Wenger Springbrook Cheese specializes in Swiss cheese along with varieties of Havarti, Muenster, Brick, and Baby Swiss.

Freshpack

FOOD & DAIRY PORTFOLIO

Freshpack

Monticello, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Jewell Associates Engineers, Inc.

Square Footage

10,500 Renovation
45,500 Addition

FRESHPACK

Production Room Remodel and Dry Storage & Cooler Addition

Southern Wisconsin’s premier food packaging firm, Freshpack, selected Kraemer Brothers after receiving a referral from another satisfied client. In response to increased demand for Freshpack’s custom cheese packaging services, the company needed to renovate production rooms at its South Plant. To avoid downtime, we strategically divided the project into two phases—remodeling the west production room first, followed by the east production room. Each room was upgraded with remodeled cooler spaces designed to support growth and improve operational efficiency. This project marks the first step of Freshpack’s long-term strategy to significantly enhance operations at the South Plant.

The third phase of Freshpack’s long-term strategy expanded operations at its South Plant. Consisting of cold, dry, and finished goods storage, this expansion more than triples the original building and expands Freshpack’s total operations to 70,000 square feet. The expanded facility features state-of-the-art equipment upgrades, including advanced cheese spread and dip production capabilities that will double current production capacity and allow for the creation of new whipped products. The expansion will not only continue to allow Freshpack the ability to deliver industry-leading solutions; it is also an investment into Monticello and the surrounding communities. Over the next five years, Freshpack anticipates adding 50 new jobs and processing an additional 11 million pounds of cheese, much of which is sourced from Wisconsin cheese makers.

Veteran’s Day: A Day to Remember in our History

Kraemer Brothers was founded in 1948 by three WWII Veterans, Linus, Alfred, and Norm. Each had a unique skillset that helped shape Kraemer Brothers the way we are today.

Linus (left) entered the army on October 19, 1945, and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was a Fourth Grade Technician as a Construction Foreman, where he supervised eight Shopmen and 15 Maintenance & Repair Men. Honorably discharged from the military on November 11, 1946, Linus used his niche construction foreman skills to form Kraemer Brothers with his brothers Alfred and Norm.

Alfred (center) entered the service on August 12, 1942, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Transferred to Harlingen Army Air Force Base at Harlingen, Texas, Alfred was placed directly in the Finance Department. After spending his entire service at the Harlingen Army Air Force Finance Department, he was honorably discharged on February 14, 1946, at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, holding the rank of Technical Sergeant. Alfred’s financial knowledge helped shape how we have an open-book and transparent bidding process.

Norm (right), a corporal in the Army Air Corps, served nearly three years from his enlistment on April 16, 1943. After his basic training in New York, Norm traveled to Guantanamo Bay and then to Hawaii, where he was shipped to the Battle of Guam on July 23, 1944, and served there until April 1, 1945. Two days later, Norm arrived for the Battle of Okinawa and served until the end of World War II. Close to 6 months after the war ended, Norm finally returned to his hometown of Plain, WI. Norm’s knowledge of scheduling and sourcing materials correlates to our trademark of consistently finishing under budget and ahead of schedule.

We are proud of the legacy our three founders created through hard work, determination, and our core value of doing what’s right, and we continue to honor their example in every project we build.

School Renovations Have Completed For Nearby Rural Districts

With school back in session, Kraemer Brothers has successfully completed a pair of renovation projects, both of which incorporated youth apprentices.

The School District of Reedsburg’s commitment to innovative learning began with Phase I of their referendum. Designed by EUA, the high school library was transformed into a state-of-the-art fabrication, collaboration, and design/innovation lab. This new space supports both individual learning and large group instruction. The cafeteria was also remodeled to include a school store, updated wallcoverings, ceiling baffles, and new furnishings. Future phases will include upgrades to the technical and agricultural education departments.

As part of River Valley’s initiative to promote skilled trades, the district chose to renovate the high school’s wood shop. Over the summer, new epoxy flooring was installed, windows were replaced, electrical systems upgraded, and the restrooms completely renovated. An ADA-compliant ramp and new overhead doors now significantly improve accessibility to the shop.

 

Crawford County Justice Center Moving Along

Built 127 years ago, this facility remains the oldest operating jail in Wisconsin and is now being revitalized through a careful blend of historic preservation and modernization. The new addition includes 32 cells and increases the facility’s capacity to house more than 80 inmates, doubling its current capacity. Designed by Klein McCarthy Architects, the facility prioritizes safety, security, and operational efficiency. A central secure monitoring area provides unobstructed sightlines into each two-story dayroom pod, ensuring both staff and inmates remain safe. A drive-through sallyport allows deputies to transport inmates into the booking area and holding cells safely and efficiently. A secure chase constructed behind the jail cells will provide easy access for maintenance of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The addition is also directly connected to the existing law enforcement center, enabling seamless circulation between the new jail, the renovated sheriff’s office, and the courthouse. Currently, the exterior masonry veneer, which was specifically sourced to match the existing building and courthouse, is nearing completion, paving the way for site concrete work and topsoil grading. Inside, painting is in progress, and MEP finishes are set to begin shortly. These will be followed by the installation of security ceilings, detention doors, resinous flooring, and security glazing.

Find out more about the Crawford County Justice Center:

Crawford County Justice Center

CIVIC & COMMUNITY PORTFOLIO

Crawford county justice center

Prairie du Chien, WI

Overview

ARCHITECT

Klein McCarthy Architects

Square Footage

38,700 Addition
22,500 Renovation

CRAWFORD COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER

Jail Addition & Sheriff’s Office Renovation

Built over 127 years ago, this facility remains the oldest operating jail in Wisconsin, now revitalized through a careful blend of historic preservation and modernization. Featuring 32 cells, this new correctional facility will accommodate 81 inmates, doubling the existing capacity. The addition will connect to the sheriff’s office via a skywalk, ensuring seamless circulation between the new jail, the renovated sheriff’s office, and the courthouse. The renovated area will serve as the county’s law enforcement center, consisting of sheriff’s offices and administrative spaces. A central secure monitoring area is designed to provide unobstructed sight lines into each dayroom, eliminating blind spots. To address past safety concerns, a drive-through sally port will allow deputies to efficiently transfer inmates into the booking area without passing through multiple vestibules. Surrounded on all four sides by residential housing, the county’s campus presents significant logistical challenges. Material staging, deliveries, site safety, and traffic control have all been carefully planned to minimize disruptions. To ensure county operations remained functional during construction, periodic coordination meetings were held with the county, architect, consultants, and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.