Waushara County Circuit Court Judge Guy Dutcher ruled Monday that the state of Wisconsin doesn’t have the right to buy the Wisconsin Veterans Museum building on Capitol Square for $9 million, according to an article in the Wisconsin State Journal.
The ruling puts the sale of the deteriorating building, where the state would like to build a new, state-of-the-art museum facility, back to square one.
Dutcher granted the building owners’ motion for summary judgment on their purchase option with the state, ruling that the option is unenforceable due to vague language.
The State Building Commission had approved the purchase of the property at 22 and 30 W. Mifflin St. in 2024.
State officials had argued that its lease allows it to buy the building and how the purchase price should be set.
The property’s four owners, who contend the property is worth much more than $9 million, objected and filed a lawsuit.
