Background
Owatonna: Where Community Members and Businesses Thrive
The City of Owatonna is a place where community members and businesses thrive. With more than 90 City-owned buildings and structures and their surrounding sites requiring maintenance and long-term investment, the City is implementing plans to preserve and enhance these assets to meet the needs of community members – today and into the future.
Preserving Our Assets. Preparing for Growth.
In 2022, the City of Owatonna launched Imagine Owatonna, an initiative that looks ahead to prepare for future community growth. As part of this initiative, a facilities assessment was conducted and community input was gathered to create the Long Range Asset Plan.
The Long Range Asset Plan ensures the City is serving taxpayers by investing in facilities the community needs for the services community members prioritize to ensure a high quality of life in Owatonna.
Process Timeline
2025:
The City launched phase two of the facilities planning process for the City’s police and fire departments, which included refining the scope, design, location and cost for new public safety facilities.
The Community Center Task Force entered a planning phase. This included continuing to assess community feedback, touring area community centers to learn more about existing models and amenities and working to evaluate possible design features to ensure a new facility would support residents of all ages while balancing cost and long-term value for the community.
2024:
The City renovated Merrill Hall and completed phase one of a facilities planning process for the City’s police and fire departments. The City also launched the Our Community, Our Center initiative to explore building a new community center in Owatonna. This included forming a Community Center Task Force to guide the City in this process.
2023:
ICS gathered data from community listening sessions to help City staff and elected officials develop a plan to improve City-owned facilities. This process led to the Long Range Asset Plan which prioritizes essential investments in City-owned buildings. The City upgraded and renovated the Council Chambers area.
2022:
A Government Buildings Task Force was formed to evaluate the immediate and long-term needs for City-owned facilities. This assessment revealed that 90+ City-owned buildings and structures and their surrounding sites require ongoing maintenance and investment. Based on this assessment, the City Council approved the development of a Long Range Asset Plan.
2019:
ICS, a construction and facilities planning leader with extensive experience partnering with local governments, was hired to evaluate City facilities.
2026:
The City is continuing to refine the scope, design and cost for new police and fire facilities. In February, the City hosted two public open houses to share information and answer questions about plans to build new police and fire stations. 118 attendees had the opportunity to review planning materials, visit information stations and ask questions directly of City staff and project partners.
In January, the Owatonna City Council approved a resolution to seek legislative authority for a local sales tax to support a future community center. The proposal is currently moving through the Minnesota Legislature and has been read in both the House and Senate.
Priority Projects in the Long Range Asset Plan
Council Chambers: Renovate this space to better serve the community’s needs.
Merrill Hall: Repair and update critical infrastructure to preserve this facility and ensure its continued support of a broad range of community services.
Public Safety Facilities: Create modern, safe and efficient police and fire facilities that will serve the community for decades.
Community Center: Conduct a community-driven planning process to explore building a new community center.
In 2022, the City Council earmarked capital funds for a $2.1 million renovation of the Council Chambers area. The City worked closely with the West Hills Commission on planning the renovations and with the State Historic Preservation Office to incorporate original architectural elements.
Renovations included:
Updated the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system to improve air quality and energy efficiency.
Enhanced safety and security.
Added accessible entry points and restrooms.
Enhanced capabilities to broadcast public meetings live online and through the Public Access, Education and Government Channel.
Added a new multi-purpose public meeting space.
Merrill Hall was identified as the highest-priority improvement project in the City’s 2022 facility assessment process. In October 2023, the City Council approved a $5.3 million project to upgrade and improve Merrill Hall.
Renovations included:
Upgraded the aging HVAC system to improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
Added a drop-in ceiling to improve ventilation.
Added a fire sprinkler system.
Installed energy-efficient lighting.
The City of Owatonna's police and fire department facilities have served the community well, but the buildings are aging and do not meet modern public safety standards, the needs of first responders, and the essential services they provide.
The City appointed a Public Safety Task Force in early 2024 to conduct a detailed assessment of its public safety facilities to identify deficiencies and evaluate options for modernization and improvement.
Priorities include:
Police Department: Secure holding areas, appropriate spaces for processing evidence, private and secure areas for interactions with victims and suspects, sufficient training and wellness spaces, and space to accommodate the future growth of the department.
Fire Department: Safe and efficient parking for emergency vehicles, designated areas for decontamination, and adequate space for equipment storage, training rooms, private living quarters, mental health spaces, and space to accommodate the future growth of the department.
Both facilities require upgrades and repairs to structural and mechanical issues, including water leaks, sewage line problems, and outdated roofing, windows, and HVAC systems.
The City is taking a careful, phased approach to planning for new police and fire facilities that is guided by fiscal responsibility and long-term community needs. After evaluating both current and future requirements, the City Council approved funding for the next phase of planning in December 2024.
Phase two launched in January 2025 and included site investigations, project scoping and facility design. A facilities task force evaluated six potential sites and 34 layout options, prioritizing locations that support fast emergency response while efficiently using taxpayer dollars.
Ultimately, the City selected two City-owned sites:
A new fire station at the current Law Enforcement Center property
A new police department at the West Hills Campus.
These sites offer the best combination of strategic location, operational efficiency and cost-effective use of existing City property.
Design work for these facilities is underway, with bidding expected to begin in the spring of 2026. The City is actively reviewing funding options for the estimated project cost of $61 million.
The City of Owatonna is also conducting a facilities planning process to explore building a new community center. Our Community, Our Center is a community-driven initiative to gather input and feedback on the services, activities and amenities in a new community center that would meet the needs and priorities of residents and the community.