Sun Prairie Utilities Holds Ribbon Cutting and Open House at New Operations Facility

(Photo: Sun Prairie Utilities staff in front of the new operations facility, taken by 608 Beacon Enterprises.)

Estimated Reading Time (Average Reader): 3m 0s

Sun Prairie Utilities held two major events at its new operations facility in May 2026. 

To commemorate the completion of its new facility at 510 Linnerud Drive, the not-for-profit utility held a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on May 5. The ceremony took place in the morning and included new faces and familiar ones from the groundbreaking held in July 2024.

Jill Weiss, SPU’s general manager, was the first speaker and discussed what the facility means to the utility and community, and thanked customers for their trust and partnership. “This facility is more than a workplace—it is a commitment to our community and our customers. It provides our team with the tools, technology, and space needed to continue delivering safe, reliable, and exceptional utility services for generations to come. [This] celebration belongs to everyone who helped bring this project to life, and we are especially grateful to our customers for their continued trust, support, and partnership,” shared Weiss.

Mayor Steve Stocker explained how the new building was an investment in Sun Prairie’s future, and it stands as a reminder that the utility is not just a behind-the-scenes infrastructure, but a vital asset to the city. 

“With that growth comes responsibility: to plan ahead, to build wisely, and to ensure that our systems are strong enough not just for today, but for the generations that will follow,” shared Mayor Stocker.

Jeff Christensen, SPU Commission chair, talked about the collaborative process in making the facility a success and recognized key individuals that helped make it happen, such as Kueny Architects, which has helped with the project since the beginning. 

Jack Zwicker, vice president of business development at Miron Construction, touched on the facility being not only a great opportunity to construct a valuable project, but also build relationships. He mentioned Miron Construction is working on a project at the Sun Prairie Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well. 

Theresa Lehman, director of sustainable services at Miron Construction, finished by sharing insights about the facility’s sustainability and goal for LEED certification.

“The design and construction of this building is a testament of environmental stewardship and leadership, fulfilling Sun Prairie’s vision statement to promote and enable the community to embrace a culture that is resilient and sustainable,” explained Lehman.

LEED is the most widely recognized green building rating system in the world and the certification offers a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-effective green buildings that provide environmental and social benefits. The new facility is on its way to achieving a Gold award level of LEED certification, which requires the project to earn 60 to 80 points. Lehman shared in her speech that the project is submitting for 66 of the 110 possible points and has already been awarded 42 points in the design process and recently submitted an additional 24 points.

The open house was held later in the evening on May 5 and lasted an hour after the municipal utility usually closes, so customers could visit after they left work. A bucket truck and water equipment were stationed outside for visitors to explore, and the public areas of the building dedicated to the community and customers were open with staff at tables that showcased different departments, provided treats, and shared information about the new building.

The process of getting the Linnerud Drive facility originally started in 2019 when SPU selected Kueny Architects to perform a facilities study and space needs assessment. The design process began in 2022 and finished in 2024, which was approved by several entities, such as the Utilities Commission, City Council, and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in July 2024, and SPU staff moved into the new facility in December 2025.

(Photo: Sun Prairie Utilities ribbon cutting ceremony held on May 5, 2026, picture taken by 608 Beacon Enterprises. Left to Right: Cora Seibt, SPU Communications Coordinator; Brian Frye, Miron Construction Senior Project Manager; Tim Gerrits, Miron Construction Project Superintendent; Steve Stocker, City of Sun Prairie Mayor; Jill Weiss, SPU General Manager; Jeff Christensen, SPU Commission Chair; Theresa Lehman, Miron Construction Director of Sustainable Services; Jack Zwicker, Miron Construction Vice President of Business Development; Cody Conrad, SPU Accountant; Lee Anderson, Kueny Architects Architect.)

(Photo: Sun Prairie Utilities General Manager Jill Weiss, left, talks with customers during the open house, taken on May 5, 2026.)