Owatonna council breaks ground for renovation
From left, city administrator Kris Busse, council members Dan Boike, Kevin Raney, Greg Schultz, Dave Burbank, Nate Dotson, and Doug Voss, and mayor Tom Kuntz toss a little dirt around the old city council chamber during last week’s indoor groundbreaking. Construction on a $2.1 million renovation is underway. Staff photo by Joni Hubred
When the rain started last Tuesday, Owatonna city staff had to think fast.
Officials were slated to break ground that afternoon for a $2.1 million renovation that will reorient the chamber; update the heating, ventilation, and cooling system; improve audio and visual capabilities; and add a small structure with handicapped accessible bathrooms and a small meeting room.
“This has been on the list for a long time,” facilities director Jena Tuma said. “This is a very special day.”
City staff got “crafty,” Tuma said, and built two wooden troughs filled with sand inside the chamber for the 4:30 p.m. ceremony.
Council president Greg Schultz said 2023 marks the council’s 46th year in the room. Looking back to the minutes of the first meeting there on May 27, 1977, he found the agenda included upgrading the wastewater treatment facility–a topic still under discussion as the city broke ground last year for a plant expansion.
While the chamber is under construction, council meetings will move to the Gainey Room at the Owatonna Public Library at 105 North Elm Ave. Planning Commission meetings will also be held in the Gainey Room, while the Housing & Redevelopment Authority and Economic Development Authority will use the second floor Conference Room at City Hall.