Cottage Grove will soon have a new utilities and engineering building, near the water treatment plant now being built in the South Business Park.
Breaking ground April 23, the new building off Ideal Avenue north of 110th Street South will house a new utilities and public works building for the city. the current main public works building located at 8635 West Point Douglas Drive was last remodeled and added to in 1998, dating for its initial construction to 1976.
With city public works having since outgrown its present location, the new utility building as designed will have 35,544 square feet, Kraus Anderson being awarded the roll of Construction Manager late last year. Included in the new building design are employee offices, a vehicle garages storage areas, and conference rooms.
Everything came together at the groundbreaking April 23.
“After being here 20 years—this is actually a really momentous occasion—because I never thought I’d see the day that public works and engineering would get the opportunity to even have a new building,” Cottage Grove City Administrator Jennifer Levitt said at the groundbreaking. “Today is exciting as we get to break ground on it. City’s don’t break ground on new buildings every day.”
A long journey, Levitt said the groundbreaking was an occasion to reflect on the journey that had led to this point. A chance to reflect on the past, it was also a chance to showcase public work and service to the community.
“And I have to say team, a job well done,” Levitt said. Mayor Myron Bailey likewise shared city excitement on the project.
“On behalf of myself and the city council, we want to thank you for coming out to celebrate with us,” he said. “We are excited obviously to start working on this project that frankly will provide much needed room for growth at our public works department.” Bailey went on to say that the property would house the city’s entire public works and parks maintenance team long term.
”That is our ultimate goal in the future,” Bailey said. “To get to that point.”
City Public Works Director Ryan Burfeind thanked the council for its work in making the new building a reality.
“A sincere thank you to the city council,” he said. “Thank you for all the time and investment and all the different meetings we’ve had for the past two years really to get to this point and to this facility that I think will serve us for years to come.”
The new utility building is set to open in 2025.
