Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Winsted council looking for action on city hall issue



The Winsted City Council received a number of responses
for its solicitation of an architect for the old city hall project at Tuesday’s
regular meeting.

The council was looking for an architect who could draw
up plans for repairing the old city hall and building a new city hall.

A number of the architects specialized in historic buildings.
Reeves noted they were very expensive.

A proposal was also submitted for the old and new city
hall plans by Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates, the city’s engineer
on the curb and gutter repair project. The firm’s bid was the lowest at
$8,100.

Much discussion focused on the fact a lot of money had
been spent on studies.

The city has on file studies executed about 10 years ago
for a new city hall and repairs to the old one. Reeves cautioned that the
costs were outdated and described the new city hall design as extravagant.

However, general consensus was that those plans could be
used as a base for new studies and that turning over all that information
might decrease the costs of executing more studies.

Lenz felt that the design for a new city hall could be
adjusted for current needs.

City Clerk Betty Zachmann estimated that the city has spent
about $30,000 in the last four to five years on the old city hall. Consensus
was that some action needs to be taken on the building soon. Reeves added
that the falling bricks from the building pose a safety concern.

In general, the council was in favor of preserving the
historic building. However, Albers suggested that it might be sold to a
developer.

Another suggestion was that the building be torn down and
the facade be reconstructed exactly as in the original design. Behind that
front would be a new structure.

Kegler added that after all the repairs were made, much
of the old building would not be there anyway.

Some discussion was given to the potential for library
use and the possibility of grant money for repairing the old city hall.
Reeves reminded the council not to think of the grant as a guarantee.

The council opted to have Reeves give all the relevant
plans and information to Bonestroo with the options of developing a new
city hall adjacent to the old fire station, repairing the old city hall,
and demolishing the old city hall and rebuilding its facade with a new building
in back.

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