Whatever name it had in the past won’t be as important as knowing that a big building in Prescott that’s been vacant for years has a bright future.

Greg Johnson of Hearth Development, located in St. Paul, got approval of the Prescott City Council for phase one of the renovation project of the Croixdale building, or as Mayor Dave Hovel termed it, “the old hospital.”

The building is located at 445 Court St. N.

The plan commission had recommended approval of phase one.

“They’re doing two phases of the building. They’re taking the existing building and turning it into a CBRF (Community-Based Residential Facility),” said Mayor David Hovel.

The project will include 15 memory care units and 21 assisted living units.

“No major changes to the overall footprint of the building will be necessary for this renovation apart from the removal of the small bays along the east facade and an enhanced entry,” a memo to the city from the architectural firm for the project states.

“The overall redevelopment is proposed to be in two phases. The first being the renovation of the existing building, and the second being the new construction of an additional senior living building that would attach to the existing structure,” the memo states.

The construction plan is to “continue to stabilize exteriors now” with a groundbreaking for interior work in the spring. Construction is slated to take five-six months, so the facility would open in the fall of 2021.

Johnson was questioned why the firm elected not to completely demolish the existing building.

“When did they decide not to tear down the building instead?” asked council member Maureen Otwell.

Johnson said it was more affordable to keep the structure.

“It was just costs overall. Initially, we thought we could do some demo and go up another story. As we got into some civic and structural engineering, it just wasn’t feasible,” he said. “We spent a lot of time going back and forth and this is how we could make the project economically work well.”

Hovel noted that the plan commission brought up storm water and was assured that storm water would be kept on site.

The council took another look at its garbage contract with Paul’s Industrial Garage of Diamond Bluff.

The council recently voted on a one-year contract with the company, with the idea of putting the contract out for bids.

A representative of P.I.G. said the firm made an investment in trucks to service Prescott and hoped for a longer-tam contract.

“They usually like to work on a five-year contract. They bought some new trucks to service the city. If they service you, then want to pay for their expenses,” said Hovel.

Council member Tom Oss had previously asked for the one-year deal with P.I.G.

“The only question I had – I was the person who brought up going to bid with it – if we’re going to lock ourselves into five years, we should explore the playing field,” he said. “I also know there are only a few players in the game. I recognize the destine of P.I.G. to extend this beyond a one-year contract. I don’t have any problems with entertaining a five-year contract.”

Hovel replied, “What you’re saying is, four years from now, you should be going out with a request for proposals. Whoever is here in four years, remember that.”

The city also decided to hold off until early 2021 to hold an ordinance committee meeting to talk about revisions to the swimming pool fence ordinance that was sent back to committee from the council last month.

CITY BUDGET HEARING

The City of Prescott’s budget hearing is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23.

Administration will go over the budget, and taxpayers will learn that the property tax levy to support the spending plan is going down this year. The proposed overall tax levy is $2,178,372, compared to the 2020 number of $2,238,372, a reduction of $60,000, mainly because of a 43 percent reductionin capital projects on the levy for the coming year.

Photo by Jack McLoone.