Merrill Hall, a long-standing fixture of Owatonna, is gearing up for major renovations come May. The $5.3 million overhaul will breathe new life into the building with improved heating and cooling systems, and for the first time, fire suppression sprinklers. It's a blend of preserving the historic with making strides towards energy efficiency.

The Public Safety Center is set for its own updates. With the Steele County Sheriff’s Office set to relocate, city officials are weighing up the idea of a combined Public Safety Center with the Fire Department. This could mean more efficient services for everyone in Owatonna.

On the horizon is the exciting prospect of a new community center. The idea? To move beyond the confines of the century-old Aderman Building and deliver a modern space for everyone to enjoy. The city council is putting together a task force to help shape this vision, and they're looking for community input.

The Long Range Asset Plan, put together by the consultancy ICS, is guiding these projects. The plan is focused on tackling immediate needs like Merrill Hall, dreaming up new facilities like the community center, and ensuring the city's infrastructure meets the needs of the future.

To get involved or learn more, residents can head to Owatonna.gov/imagineowatonna. The city's doors are open, inviting every community member to lend their voice to the ongoing civic improvements.