Red Wing voters passed a $22.6 million referendum last week that will allow the school district to make improvements in several aging schools and other buildings.
Projects will include changing entrances into buildings to allow for increased security, removing asbestos, and addressing fire safety issues. Parking lots, roofs, mechanical systems and other maintenance needs also will be addressed throughout the district.
The estimated tax effect for the owner of a $150,000 home, the median home price in Red Wing, will be $5.37 per month. The referendum passed by a roughly 2-1 ratio, with more than 2,700 voters casting ballots.
Mark Brunswick
@markabrunswick
MADELIA
Cleanup underway, with plans to rebuild by winter
Cleanup crews have had two weeks now to carry away the wreckage left behind by the Feb. 3 fire that devastated a portion of downtown Madelia, Mayor Mike Grote said last week. It's still not known when new construction will begin, but the displaced businesses hope to be reopened on Main Street by the end of the year or sooner, said Tom Osborne, a local accountant and organizer of the nonprofit relief group Madelia Strong.
"Slowly but surely the holes are getting cleaned out," he said.
The fire razed seven buildings. No one was seriously injured in the blaze, which broke out in the early morning.
A fire investigation continues, but the State Fire Marshal's Office is not confident it will be able to determine a cause due to the extent of the damage, a Department of Public Safety spokesman said.
