Windom Area Health announced plans for a Medical Office Building Expansion on the grounds of the Hospital Campus. According to WAH’s Marketing Coordinator, Katie Greener, The project will allow for the future growth of Windom Area Health’s specialties as well as improved space for existing services.
In partnership with the City of Windom, the project will be presented to the City Council in June for final approval and review of financing options. Pending apporvals, groundbreaking would begin this Fall of 2023. CEO Shelby Medina stated that they are lucky to be in a position to continue the growth and add more needed services for the community to get quality care right here in Windom.
The Medical Office Building will be located in what is currently the Sanford Clinic and Windom Family Medical Center building. The plans include tearing down the structure of these adjacent clinics, with a new four-story building to be constructed in its place. Medina stated, there has been discussion with with various providers and possibly the Sanford Clinic located currently on 2nd Ave North would move offices on campus. Medina went on to say, the new building will relocate some of WAH’s existing services better suited for the Medical Office Building, allowing for the space of the Specialty Clinics wing (formerly Outreach) to expand offerings. A space will be dedicated to a new modernized Wellness Center to better serve all ages in the community. Future growth will likely include additional specialty providers, including general surgery. Windom Area Health is working with Pope Architects on the design and Kraus Anderson on the construction management.
————————————————————————————
The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday. The Commissioners accepted the State Bid from SHI for the purchase of three Lenovo Servers and Windows Datacenter Software. They then approved the Parks Department to purchase four cameras for Talcot Park. After discussion, the Commissioners approved a Conditional Use Permit submitted by Knife River to operate a portable hot-mix asphalt plant in Amboy Township with conditions and also approved the Conditional Use Permit submitted by Elmendorf Hutterian Brethren to make modifications to the original site plan in Mountain Lake Township with conditions. All employment positions presented were accepted. And the Board of Commissioners moved to adopt “Resolution Declaring a State of Emergency.” The Commissioners then approved the Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area Joint Powers Agreement effective July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025, and to allow the delegate to sign on behalf of the county. There was no action taken on proposed National Center for Public Lands Counties. The Commissioners listened to an update from Elizabeth Hoffman, Plum Creek Library Director, on the Plum Creek Library System where she also made a funding request for 2024. The Board did enter into a closed session to discuss The Toro Company vs. Cottonwood County, Litigation.
————————————————————-
Windom City Council met on Tuesday the 16th. Council members were informed that Riverbend Liquor received the Best Community Involvement Award at a recent MMBA conference. They were also informed on updates on the building design which will be presented officially to the council in August. The Arena Booster Club approved a purchase of an equestrian drag to be used at the Arena to help with the footings for horse shows in the amount of $6,300. The Electric Department stated that the Transmission Line Project will be starting in early July and be finished by the end of August. There was a Call for a Public Hearing Land Use Code Revision – The current land use code has been in effect since 2003 and needed some updating and to make sure it was in compliance with State Statutes as well. The full land use code revision can be found on the City of Windom website and a copy will be available to view at the Public Library. The public hearing is scheduled for June 6th. According to City Councilwoman, Jenny Quade, the Council did pass a resolution at our last meeting for requesting state assistance in the amount of $18 million to help with the new wastewater treatment plant costs, school costs and housing. Senator Weber introduced legislation and his request had $14 million. Senator Weber and our City Administrator Steve Nasby testified last Friday. Now this bill will be in committee meetings this week. We wait to hear more before the end of the session. No other information or new information has been received from Hy-Life.
——————————————————————————
It’s coming!!! The Talk of the Town, is coming… I warned you before, and my excitement just grows with every coming day. I usually don’t wish time away because it is such a valuable commodity, BUT after Memorial Day the Talk of the Town will be official! Stay tuned in for further news!!!!
Today though let’s put the what’s to come in our pockets and celebrate the what is today!!! I mean it IS the National Day for Devils Food Cake and Pizza Party Day!!! How awesome to have dinner and dessert already planned because we HAVE too… And if you were on top of things better than I was, Today is Ride your Bike to Work Day… That means IF you rode your bike you can two slices of cake!!!