Town moves ahead with plan to raze mill, factory

The process for the Town of Fredonia to take ownership of the long embattled Waubeka Mill and Button Factory via eminent domain is ongoing.

The Town Board last month authorized Town Chairman Chris Janik to execute an intergovernmental agreement between the town and Ozaukee County so they can work together on demolition of the buildings and give the parcels to the county, Town Clerk Christophe Jenkins said.

The Town Board in June approved the plan to exercise its power of eminent domain to take both properties from Charlie Sheridan and his son.

The town’s plan is to give the properties to the county, which would convert them into a park.

“The county has access and resources to grants to raze the properties that the town does not. Plus, the county would like to see these areas turned into a county park space,” Jenkins said.

County Administrator Jason Dzwinel said the county would have the structures taken down to allow public access to the Milwaukee River.

An eminent domain agreement is still being developed by attorneys for the town and county, Jenkins said.

Sheridan bought the Button Factory in a 1990 auction from Ozaukee County. He bought the mill in 2019 for $1,000, later turning it over to his son.

Sheridan has been trying to turn the buildings into a number of businesses or residences for the past several years without success.

The mill has asbestos, a cracked foundation and a roof that is in need of repairs.

Plans for the Button Factory, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, have fallen through since it doesn’t meet setback requirements.

Sheridan said if the historical buildings are torn down, “people are going to lose the legacy.”