The original item was published from November 9, 2021 4:11 PM to November 10, 2021 11:08 AM
DATE: July 28, 2021
For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Rachel Leonard
(763) 295-2711 | rachel.leonard@ci.monticello.mn.us
City Council Approves Land Purchase for Future Public Works Facility
Monticello, MN – On Monday, Nov. 8 City Council approved the purchase of approximately 70 acres of land along School Boulevard. The land was purchased with the intent to construct a new public works facility on a portion of the site. The City will make a future decision about how to best use the balance of the property. 
The purchase agreement specifies a sale price of $2.8 million dollars which will be paid from a fund created specifically for this project. The fund contains the necessary balance to complete the purchase. City Council noted the site is an ideal location and provides flexibility for the final facility configuration, including office space, vehicle storage, and cold storage for larger equipment.
The City’s current public works facility is located at 909 Golf Course Road. It’s an aging property that was originally constructed in 1975, and the most recent addition was added in 1995 for vehicle storage. Over the summer, the City completed an assessment of the existing facility that highlighted nearly $3 million dollars in repair and maintenance costs, which only addresses current capacity.
A previous study also showed the existing facility no longer has adequate space for the personnel, equipment, and supplies necessary to operate the department. The existing buildings don’t provide adequate space for storage, resulting in vehicles and other equipment being stored outside or at alternate storage sites in the community. This limits efficiency and increases maintenance needs. In addition, the current site is located on only 4.5 acres, which limits the ability to expand at that location.
During the planning process, the City explored several options for relocation of public works. The most important site factors were convenient location and access as well as approximately 20 acres to bring all aspects of the facility onto a single site. The selected site on School Boulevard meets the necessary criteria and provides a quality location for a long-lasting investment.
The City anticipates closing on the property by the end of the year. With the location finalized, the next step will be to determine how to best utilize the site and design the facility. The City is optimistic for a potential groundbreaking in 2023 or soon thereafter.