A new option for barriers in front of the Navy’s training center on Main Street is met with mixed reviews from Marinette’s Civic Affairs Committee. Earlier this year, the Committee asked Fincantieri Marinette Marine to bring alternative solutions to provide security for the Marinette Professional Center to the City after concerns were raised that the existing barriers had fallen into disrepair and had outworn their initial “temporary” designation. Bethany Skorik with FMM presented a more aesthetic redesign of those cement barricades to the Civic Affairs Committee Monday, which Committee member Doug Oitzinger regarded as “underwhelming.”

The barriers have been in place for the past five years and are expected to remain at least another five as the shipyard finishes out its existing LCS contract. And while some have questioned whether Marinette Marine could locate those Navy offices elsewhere, Skorik says the current site is optimal for meeting both the shipyard’s and the sailors’ needs.

The Committee did ask FMM to incorporate suggestions including adding decorative planters to the barriers and moving them further away from the roadway so as not to impede upon street parking there into the proposal. The plan is expected to be brought back to the Committee for further consideration in November.