The downtown Litchfield façade project is reaching the end of the design phase and hopefully construction can begin before long. The project is a result of the $2-million that Litchfield got from the Legislature a few years ago.
City Council member Darlene Kotelnicki says New History helped the City get the process started and then they hired 4594 Design of Litchfield as the architects for this project. She says the property owners have been wonderful to work with on this project.
Kotelnicki says some of the property owners are putting in extra money – beyond what they’re getting as part of the grant. She says a 4-part documentary is going to be done about this project.
Jesse Turck, President of 4594 Design, says this is the first time this type of thing has been done with state bonding money being used to improve the facades of downtown buildings. He says 25 properties have been approved in the project and the funds are being allocated based on square footage of each façade.
Turck says once the design phase wraps up, the projects will need approval from the State Historical office and then from the Litchfield Heritage Preservation Commission, and then BCI Construction will get started. He says the work needs to wrap up by the end of 2028 in order to satisfy the language in the agreement with the Legislature.
Jesse and Jean Turck both worked for large architectural firms in Minneapolis and St. Paul before starting 4594 Design two and a half years ago. Jean says the project in Litchfield is unique, but they have experience in this area, including a project for downtown Fargo.
Jean says the downtown façade project has generated a lot of excitement and once the work begins, don’t be afraid to come downtown and they will keep as much open as possible as the work progresses.
The Litchfield City Council heard a presentation last night regarding a Litchfield HRA housing project. The Council authorized the use of tax increment financing for the project.
An official from Central Minnesota Housing Partnership spoke about the Haven of Hubbard complex which will have 3 stories and an underground garage at 502 South Hubbard Avenue. Some of the units will be set aside for people with disabilities and there will be some units for the homeless. City Administrator Dave Czoik says the Council’s approval of TIF is just the first step in the process as a public hearing and other steps will be required.
The Litchfield City Council has approved of a Planning Commission recommendation for a variance request for Ronald and MaryAnn Dingmann to extend an 8-foot fence on their property at 808 South Marshall Avenue where a tree was removed. Mayor Ron Dingmann excused himself from the chambers while the item was discussed and as the vote was taken.
The Council approved of increases in wages for part-time Liquor Store employees; approved of a 2-year lease with the MN Department of Public Safety for use of a room at the Litchfield Area Recreation Center for driver’s education; and agreed to accept public bids for property located at 1002 South Armstrong Avenue.
The Litchfield High School Marching Band took first place in Class-A in Albertville on Sunday and also got the awards for Best Horn Section, Best Color Guard and Best Drum Majors.
Ecumen of Litchfield has several special events scheduled for the summer months. One of the events – not so special, but necessary – is a scheduled power outage this Wednesday, June 17th, from 9-to-1 – so people are asked not to come and visit this Wednesday.
Nicole Larson says a lot of people at Ecumen will be impacted by the power outage so they are serving their residents a free breakfast that day and they will have games and other activities to keep the residents occupied. She says they are also getting ready for a blood drive in the Ecumen Chapel on July 7th from 10-to-4, and Ecumen will have a booth at Art-in-the-Park during the Litchfield Watercade celebration on July 11th.
Larson says Ecumen will also have a booth at the Meeker County Fair, and they will have some special activities at the fair on Senior Day – July 31st. She says there are no openings right now in the assisted living, but there are a couple of memory care openings so if people want a tour or want to get on the waiting list, they should call her at 320-373-6370.
Jillian Miller says if anyone is in need of Home Care or Hospice services, they may call 877-311-4997. She says Ecumen of Litchfield is planning a senior expo on October 27th at the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield – so mark your calendars.