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Hazardous waste site to open in Woodbury
A building for collecting household materials in Washington County will be moved from Oakdale.
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Despite concern from some Woodbury residents, Washington County is moving its collection center for household hazardous waste from Oakdale to Woodbury.
Commissioner Dick Stafford, who represents Woodbury, said he's received inquiries from residents concerned about the nature of the materials, which include paint, oil, computers, mercury light bulbs and other substances deemed environmentally unsafe for landfills.
"I'm sure that some people in Woodbury, perhaps a few, think that the building is going to light up at night without electricity," he said, explaining that the building isn't as frightening as it sounds. "There's nothing in this facility or process that's any different from what most of us have in our garage."
The county has used space in Oakdale's public works building for its household waste operation. Don Theisen, the county's public works director, said Oakdale now needs the space and the county needs more room for its growing operation. The new $4 million building in Woodbury will have about 18,000 square feet, he said.
County commissioners approved a contract with Oertel Architects of St. Paul to design the new building, which will be next to the county's south maintenance shop at 4037 Cottage Grove Drive in Woodbury.
Oertel Architects worked on the county's Historic Courthouse in Stillwater and also designed buildings at Big Marine Regional Park, west of Marine on St. Croix, that is opening this summer.
Construction of the new center should be completed by this time next year, Theisen said.Further information on household hazardous waste disposal is available at www.co.washington.mn.us.
Kevin Giles • 651-298-1554
