St. Croix County recently held an Open House to mark the completion of its expanded and renovated Government Center in Hudson. The event allowed residents to tour the new facility, which was updated to accommodate the county’s growing population and improve access to public services.
Visitors were able to see the new courtrooms, service counters, conference rooms, and other spaces. County staff provided tours and answered questions about how the changes are intended to increase efficiency, safety, and overall experience for both employees and community members.
The day began with a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting. County Administrator Ken Witt addressed attendees, saying, “This project represents years of planning and collaboration. The updated Government Center enhances security, improves customer service, and positions us well for future growth. We enjoyed meeting with residents and sharing these improvements with the communities we serve.”
The expansion added approximately 142,000 square feet of space while also modernizing existing areas throughout the building. Improvements include a central secure entrance for visitors, better signage for navigation inside the building, upgraded courtrooms with enhanced technology, wider hallways, accessible service counters, additional offices for employees, and more conference rooms.
Originally built in 1993 to support about two decades of growth, the previous Government Center had reached its capacity. The new facility is designed to meet St. Croix County’s needs for at least another 30 years by providing flexible workspaces that encourage departmental collaboration and integrate current technology.
St. Croix County officials thanked community members who attended as well as the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau for their assistance with organizing the event.
According to recent data from Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction (https://dpi.wi.gov/), Hudson High School had the highest enrollment in St. Croix County during the 2023-24 school year with 1,718 students. In total, there were 14,411 students attending schools in St. Croix County that year; white students made up 88.5% (12,754) of this population while smaller ethnic groups together accounted for 11.5% (1,657). Multiracial students represented 3.7% of all students in county schools (https://dpi.wi.gov/).
