MANKATO — A proposed Blue Earth County Public Works Facility to be built south of Mankato is moving forward with few changes in the design or time schedule and a goal of some groundwork beginning later this year.
But the project, at the corner of County Roads 90 and 16 (Stoltzman Road), about 1½ miles south of Mankato, is the subject of a lawsuit filed by a neighboring couple.
John Pristash of Pristash Consulting told county commissioners Tuesday that there have not been any significant changes to the design, although they continue to make minor adjustments as the plans are reviewed.
The cost of the facility has risen steadily over the years it’s been discussed as sites changed and inflation ramped up. The cost is now estimated at $40.3 million, which includes inflationary adjustments and a contingency fund.
The county closed on the property in early June. It paid $2.5 million for the 67.4-acre parcel. Of that, 40 acres will be used for the Public Works facility and the rest kept for future use. Groundwork for the project is expected to start Oct. 1.
Pritstash said the county will soon put out bids for precast concrete for the facility. The bids are being done earlier and separate from other bidding that will come because there is a long lead time for precast concrete, he said.
He said the city of Mankato and the county should also soon be ready to sign an agreement that will bring city water and sewer to the site. The lines are dedicated for only use by the county shop. That was to allay fears by neighbors that sewer and water lines pushed into the outskirts of Mankato would trigger more residential development in the area.
A lawsuit aims to halt construction of the proposed facility.
In March the Mankato Township Board voted 2-1 to approve Blue Earth County’s plans for the facility, which would serve as a base for county snow and road crews.
The lawsuit was filed in Blue Earth County District Court in late April with homeowners Patrick Lease and Lynn Koosman-Lease as plaintiffs. They allege the board’s granting of a conditional-use permit for the facility was “directly contrary” to the township’s land-use ordinance. There had been an initial court date set but the Leases have a new attorney and asked to have the court date delayed.
The Mankato Township Board voted 2-1 to approve the county’s project.
The location is the second proposed site for the county shop. They first identified a parcel just to the north, nearer the edge of Mankato — a location that was abandoned after strong opposition from neighbors.
County Administrator Bob Meyer said previously that he knows some in the area around the chosen site don’t like it, but he said the project is a major benefit for county residents that will provide vital services far into the future.
“The location is efficient and that’s what the public expects of us,” Meyer told The Free Press.
The county has completed an Environmental Assessment Worksheet aimed to answer questions from a variety of state agencies.