Demolition funds changed to renovation funds
by Karin L. Nauber
The long-anticipated news has finally arrived—the funding that was to go toward the demolition of the former Eagle Bend School will now be able to be used for renovation.
This has been a hard-fought battle since the dissolution of the Eagle Valley district and $1.5 million was obtained to go toward the demolition of the building.
This is great news for rural Minnesota, especially for older adults for whom the housing is being planned at this location.
The bonding bill language was changed so that it will not only allow renovation of the building but also allow the ownership to be transferred to the city of Eagle Bend from the Bertha-Hewitt School District who acquired the building in the dissolution.
The Hilltop Regional Housing Campus is still a long way from fruition, but the dream can continue to grow with the start of finances behind it.
There will be a community meeting coming soon, so watch this newspaper for further details.
Jay Eckel and Verna Toenyan are two of the key leaders who have fought for this.
The bill was signed by Governor Tim Walz this past week.
You can read the final bonding bill with the provision for Eagle Bend at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF52&ssn=1&y=2021.
Watch for more information coming soon.
Subscribe to keep up with the latest happenings . . .