Facilities study suggests $25 million in upgrades to county buildings – Southernminn.com

County commissioners want a little more time to mull a study recommending more than $25 million in facility improvements.

The plan, presented at Tuesdays Board of Commissioners meeting focuses on keeping core services centralized, maintaining the downtown Faribault locations.

John McNamara and Jonathan Loose of Wold Architects made the presentation, leading the board through their recommendations for the three structures: the Government Services Building, courthouse and Law Enforcement Center, which are based on meetings with a team of county department heads.

The Government Services Building is the highest priority, McNamara said, suggesting two, two-story additions totaling 13,000 feet.

The expansion would relieve overcrowding in the Social Services Department and locate the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, which shares some of the same clients, nearby. It would also add needed training space as well as expand the Veterans Services, Administration and 4-H/Extension offices.

It made the most sense to reinvest in this facility, said Loose, who noted several times that the board should consider the study a 20-year plan.

Work on the Government Services Building alone is estimated at $10 million, according to the study, which includes calculations for 2018.

Security enhancements at the courthouse are included in a Wolds Priority 2 recommendations. To create a more secure, single entry point, Wold suggests closing all entrances except the lower west side door since its the only access that meets Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The remaining doors would be exits only.

The change would allow Sheriffs deputies to control the flow of traffic and set up a secure checkpoint where they could screen for weapons. That change, along with reconfigured restrooms would cost about $642,000, according to Wold, though the county is pursuing grant funding to help pay for the modifications.

A second suggestion for the courthouse includes repurposing space now used for records storage for the county attorney. Digital record keeping is reducing the need for storage space, McNamara said.

The largest addition at 24,600 square feet would be at the Law Enforcement Center. The three-story addition, a third priority, would increase the training area, evidence storage and indoor parking, and expand the jail portion of the building. Things are so tight at the Rice County Jail, which includes two facilities and has a capacity of 71 beds, that last fall the county signed an agreement with Steele County to house prisoners on an as-needed basis.

Costs for that project will be about $9.76 million, according to Wolds calculations.

Thats about the right size project for the county, Administrator Sara Folsted said. Folsted said shed spoken with the county auditor-treasurer, who mentioned that some debt is about to be paid off, clearing the way for additional projects.

Commissioner Galen Malecha suggested another work session to discuss the study and a serious look at the countys existing debt.

Our debts around $22 million, he said. How much more do you want to take on?

Reach Regional Managing Editor Suzanne Rook at 507-333-3134. Follow her on Twitter @rooksuzy

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Facilities study suggests $25 million in upgrades to county buildings - Southernminn.com