Owatonna council chamber gets a soft opening
Wenger Band Festival board president Leslea Partridge was the first person to step to the mic during the Nov. 7 Owatonna city council meeting. After more than six months of construction, officials met for the first time in their newly remodeled chamber. Staff photo by Joni Hubred
While a planned ribbon cutting is still a week away, Owatonna city council members met on Nov. 7 in their newly renovated chamber.
The council met in the Gainey Room at the Owatonna Public Library during more than six months of construction.
The $2.1 million project launched with a groundbreaking ceremony on April 4 reoriented the room, provided an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant entrance and restrooms, improved broadcast capabilities and sound within the chamber, updated the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and enhanced safety and security.
In addition to the renovation, crews built an adjacent multi-purpose, flexible space for community meetings and events.
Facilities director Jenna Tuma said even though the project was not a large one “it was very personal for us.” She pointed out that city staff works on a culture of “working better together, having pride in our work, and community stewardship.”
“This project tapped into each one of those, and I think it showed… you could see it (this week) with the team really coming together,” she said.
The council chamber originally served as an auditorium for the Minnesota State Public School, which the city purchased in the 1970s. The room was modified at that time but had no significant upgrades in over 40 years.
The West Hills Commission is creating a historical display to highlight the chamber’s history. Some elements of the original architecture–including panels from a stage that was removed–have been incorporated into the project.
Officials paid for the project by earmarking several years’ worth of capital funds and $900,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The City Council is committed to being good stewards of taxpayers’ investment in the historic buildings that are municipally owned,” said City Council President Greg Schultz. “We need to determine how to use these spaces, so they serve the community effectively.”
The Nov. 21 ribbon cutting event begins at 4:30 p.m. and is open to the public.