Moving day’s just around the corner

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These two views of the soon-to-be-completed City Hall primarily show the back of the new building, the side that faces west. Vera Roy-Stoeberl photos

Talk about it

Julie Bergstrom, the city’s finance director and interim administrator, recently gave an update on the construction progress of the new River Falls City Hall.

Begun last summer, at Maple and Lewis streets, the building is nearly ready to be occupied.

“The most recent schedule will have the building open on (Tuesday) May 5,” said Bergstrom. “We will be moving most of the city offices on May 1, although (RFC-Channel 16) cable TV will be moving the week of April 20. The court and utility offices will remain open for business on May 1 at the old location.”

She said the order of moving will be: “Cable TV will be first, the remaining city offices on May 1 and 4, and the (Parks and) Recreation office last.”

The new building, which takes up about a whole block just west of the Kinnickinnic River, used to be the site of the now demolished Ingram Center, whose tenants either shut down their operations or were relocated.

Two neighboring houses were also demolished to make way for the City Hall.

The new site will consolidate those city offices Bergstrom mentioned — the cable station, city government offices and the Parks and Recreation Department — and all their staffs.

RFC-Channel 16’s offices have been located at 320 N. Clark St. for many years, while Parks and Rec had been housed in the Ingram Center. Last summer Parks and Rec moved into the main shelter at Hoffman Park.

And what’s left to be finished before the May 5 move-in date?

“The carpeting in the upper level is being completed, some wall coverings need to be installed and general clean up of the building needs to be done,” said Bergstrom. “The telephone and computer work will begin next week (the week of April 6), as well as starting to move in archived records.”

Bergstrom was also asked what area residents should do if they need to conduct any sort of city business during those move-in days.

She said, “The utility and court offices will be open for business in the old location on (Friday) May 1. We will do the best we can to accommodate the needs of the citizens during this time.”

After the big move is accomplished, Hudson-based Keller Construction will begin renovating the vacated portions of what will be considered the “old” City Hall.

Keller is the firm the River Falls City Council contracted to do all the work at the Elm Street City Hall site.

The city’s police and fire halls will then expand their current crowded spaces, hopefully by year’s end.

“The amount of the contract (with Keller) is $629,222,” said Bergstrom. “Keller has approximately 120 days for their construction schedule, so the work should be completed by the end of the year.”

And finally, when all dust has settled and everyone and everything has found a new home, will it be time to celebrate with an open house or other similar event, Bergstrom was asked?

“That is being planned; nothing is definite at this point.”

Keeping the pubic in mind, Bergstrom said, “This is an exciting project and we will do our best to keep the disruption to the public at a minimum.

“I believe the project will enhance the customer service for the citizens, as well as provide a much needed increase in the Council Chambers for the audience.”

For more information, send Bergstrom an e-mail at jbergstrom@rfcity.org.

More photos can be found in this week's River Falls Journal.

Tags: river, falls, city, hall