Last week, the scaffolding that has braced Hastings City Hall for the past two years came down as the project to restore masonry, replace roofing, and overhaul the building’s HVAC system …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in, using the login form, below, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Last week, the scaffolding that has braced Hastings City Hall for the past two years came down as the project to restore masonry, replace roofing, and overhaul the building’s HVAC system reaches its conclusion.
The project on the 150-year-old building began in 2023 and since then has risen in cost by more than $1.5 million in part due to rising construction costs, especially for historic buildings, from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The former Dakota County Courthouse was built by A. M. Radcliff from 1869-1871. The building, built in an Italian villa style, served as the seat of Dakota County government for more than 100 years with the final meeting of Dakota County Board of Commissioners taking place there in 1974, according to the Dakota County Historical Society.
Twenty years later in 1993, the building would be refurbished to serve as Hastings City Hall.
While the scaffolding is coming down around the outside of the cupola, visitors to city hall will find that work will continue on the cupola from the inside, with scaffolding expected to be set up within the building so that workers can reach the inside of the dome.
Working on historic buildings requires specific contractors and is held to historic design standards, which is why the city has been working with Renaissance Historic Exteriors, a custom restoration firm that focuses on historic buildings.
Jake Verhagen, Project Manager with Renaissance has overseen the project over the last few years.
The project was initially funded with $2 million of state bonding in 2020. That amount ended up to be less than half of the final $5.5 million price tag, but was recently referenced as the city asked for state bonding dollars for PFAS water treatment plants from the State and House of Representatives Capital Investment Committees during their tour of projects across the metro area.
“The state’s investment helps to restore and preserve this important piece of Minnesota’s history for generations to come,” said Mayor Mary Fasbender before the Senate Capital Investment Committee on Oct. 28.
The $2 million figure pales in comparison to the requested $39.1 million for the Eastern and Western water treatment plants.
