Background
December 2024: The City Council approved phase two of the planning process for new police and fire facilities to include scope, design, location and cost.
October 2024: The City completed renovations at Merrill Hall.
June 2024: The Our Community, Our Center initiative was launched to explore building a new community center in Owatonna. A Community Center Task Force was formed to guide this process.
April 2024 – The City Council approved the purchase of the Law Enforcement Center for $700,000 from Steele County.
March 2024 - Facilities Study & Space Utilization Results and recommended next steps were presented to City Council in a Study Session.
October 2023 - The City Council approved a 5.3 million dollar project for ICS to design and provide general construction work needed to renovate Merrill Hall. Click here to read the news release.
September 2023 – ICS presented findings and recommendations to develop the Long Range Asset Preservation Plan and address near-term maintenance needs in a City Council Study Session. Baker Tilly US LLP presented funding options for near-term projects. The following are just some of the most pressing projects that will need to be addressed in the coming years:
- Merrill Hall – heating, cooling and critical maintenance needs
- West Hills Campus buildings/City Hall – renovation projects
- Fire Hall – various challenges due to the aging facility
- The Law Enforcement Center – renovations, energy efficiency and equipment upgrades
- City parks – structural and trail improvements, parking lots and equipment updates
July/August 2023 – ICS gathered data through listening sessions with the business community, City staff and elected officials to create themes to guide the next steps in the process of addressing facilities needs.
February 2023 - The City Council and staff began establishing a process for creating the long-term plan for capital improvements at its annual Strategic Planning Workshop.
August 2022 - The City Council decided to move forward with developing a strategic plan that encompasses city-owned facilities and is based on the community’s goals.
April 2022 - A Government Buildings Task Force, made up of City staff and elected officials, toured 21 buildings to assess immediate maintenance needs and current usage.
2019 - The City of Owatonna retained consultants from ICS to access current facilities.
Most Common Themes from Previous Input:
- If you won the lottery and had to spend it all on the City of Owatonna, how would you spend it? Community Center, Public Safety Center
- What would you like newspaper headlines to say about Owatonna 10 years from now? Community Center and growth
- What is your perception of the City’s current use of its facilities? Old, expensive, not purpose-built
- What type of facilities should the City consider for the future? Community Center and Public Safety Center