For Immediate Release

City of Owatonna

540 West Hills Circle

Owatonna MN 55060

507.774.7343

deanna.sheely@owatonna.gov

Public Safety Facilities Plans Advancing with Strategic Property Purchase

A previously vacant school district building will serve as the temporary site of the Owatonna Police Department

OWATONNA, Minn., Sept. 30, 2025 – The City of Owatonna is taking a step forward in its long-term plan to modernize public safety facilities with the purchase of a vacant building on Bridge Street. The property, formerly owned by the Owatonna School District, will serve as a temporary home for the Police Department during the construction of new police and fire facilities.

Temporarily moving the Police Department to this location allows both police and fire facilities to be built at the same time. This will help ensure uninterrupted public safety services while maximizing efficiency and minimizing costs.

“We’re grateful for our partnership with the Owatonna School District that made this investment possible,” said City Administrator Jenna Tuma. “By moving the Police Department there for a time, we can immediately move ahead with new public safety facilities. It’s important to the City that we use taxpayer dollars wisely while maintaining essential services.”

The School Board approved the purchase agreement at its September 22 meeting. The City closed on the property October 1 and will begin preparing the site for police operations. Once permanent police facilities are complete, the City plans to sell the building.

A Thoughtful, Community-Driven Process

Protecting the safety and well-being of the community is one of the core responsibilities of city government, and addressing public safety facility needs has been a priority for the City for several years. Over the past 18 months, the City has conducted a comprehensive assessment of its public safety buildings, toured facilities in other communities and evaluated six potential sites and 34 layout options. The Facilities Steering Committee ultimately recommended two City-owned sites:

• The existing Law Enforcement Center (LEC) site on Pearl Street for the Fire Department
• The West Hills Campus for the Police Department

These locations were selected to minimize emergency response times and avoid land acquisition costs, reflecting the City’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and public safety.

“Our current facilities are aging and no longer meet modern standards,” said Police Chief Jeff Mundale. “This plan ensures our officers and firefighters will have the space, tools and infrastructure they need to serve Owatonna effectively for decades to come.”

The new facilities will address critical infrastructure challenges including outdated HVAC systems, insufficient training and wellness spaces and inadequate storage for emergency vehicles. They will also support regional emergency response efforts including Steele County’s Emergency Operations Center, CERT training and Skywarn operations. 

While the Fire Department will continue operating from its historic station during construction, the City is exploring options to repurpose the building once the new facility is complete. “This is about more than bricks and mortar,” said Fire Chief Ed Hoffman. “It’s about ensuring our first responders have the resources they need to protect our community—and doing so in a way that honors our history and prepares us for the future.”

Progress is underway to design the new police and fire facilities, with construction expected to begin in late summer 2026 and completion anticipated in fall 2027. The total estimated cost for both facilities is $61 million.

For additional information, visit owatonna.org.

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