Gretchen Otness, the chair of the Invest in Willmar Rec and Event Center Subcommittee, who were in control of designing the project, was frustrated over the concerns being raised. She said the subcommittee did the best it could, creating a project that efficiently used the budget allotted to it. After two years of discussion and planning, it made sense to build the largest portion of the project first and have the smaller pieces, including the ice rink, be future projects.
She also made it clear the budget for the project was not adequate for what the public might be hoping for.
Willmar Public Works Committee tables approval of event center and recreation fields plans in order to seek more information
At its meeting Thursday, the Willmar City Council s Public Works Committee tabled the approval of the plans for the event center and recreation fields projects being funded by the Invest in Willmar local option sales tax. Council members were looking for additional information on operational costs for the event center. There also still needed to be work done on stormwater issues for the recreation fields, along with the completion of a land transfer with Willmar Public Schools. 6:36 pm, Feb. 18, 2021 ×
Approval of the plans for the Invest in Willmar Recreation and Event Center and the new recreation fields, all to be constructed at the Willmar Civic Center, were tabled by the Willmar City Council Public Works and Public Safety Committee on Thursday. Design by LSE Architects
Questions on how to fund a new city hall hang over the Willmar City Council
The Willmar City Council will need to figure out how it plans to pay for a new city hall and community center. The council s Finance Committee last week heard from the city administrator that the city is nearing the point that money will need to be spent on the project. 5:33 am, Jan. 26, 2021 ×
Big decisions are looming for the Willmar City Council regarding the proposed city hall project. Those decisions include how to pay for it and which of the two options to choose. One idea is the Willmar Ten Investors concept for a combined city hall and community center in what use to be JCPenney at Uptown Willmar, formerly the Kandi Mall in Willmar.
Continued overlay of First Street part of Willmar s 2021 street improvement plans
During Tuesday’s Willmar City Council meeting a public hearing was held on the 2021 Street Improvement projects. Projects include both reconstruction and overlay. 5:33 am, Jan. 22, 2021 ×
Part of the 2021 street improvements plan in Willmar is the overlay of First Street South from 19th Avenue to Willmar Avenue, the intersection shown here. The work is a continuation of last year s project when a new overlay of First Street was laid from 19th Avenue to the westbound state Highway 23 ramps.
Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune file photo
WILLMAR One of Willmar s main commercial corridors will continue to receive a needed upgrade in 2021. First Street South, from 19th Avenue to Willmar Avenue will get a new layer of pavement this construction season, one of four street projects the city plans to tackle this year.
New council members sworn in to the Willmar City Council
The Willmar City Council started 2021 with the swearing in of four council members, three new and one returning. Due to COVID-19, the meeting and the swearing in were conducted remotely. 9:07 pm, Jan. 11, 2021 ×
Despite COVID-19, the oath of office was given to the new and re-elected Willmar City Council members Monday night. Councilors Michael O Brien, Julie Asmus, Justin Ask and Thomas Butterfield were led in the oath by the Judge Jennifer Fischer. (Screen shot from live stream on Willmar city website)
WILLMAR Three new Willmar City Council members and one returning member were sworn into office at the start of Monday s council meeting, the first of the year. The meeting was held remotely due to COVID-19.