Aitkin County facilities coordinator reports HHS remodel on schedule; FEMA funds to rebuild fairgrounds structures

Facilities Coordinator Jim Bright told listeners of the county podcast that the Health & Human Services (HHS) building remodel is progressing on time and on budget and that several other county construction projects will be funded with insurance and FEMA assistance rather than new taxes.

Bright said the county began planning the HHS project in November 2019 and opted to remodel the existing building rather than build new or add an extension. "We gutted the inside of the building from exterior wall to exterior wall," he said, describing a full interior rebuild that left only structural walls in place. Construction began in September and the project is "just about halfway through," with Bright projecting completion in June. He added: "As of today, we are just finishing up on 2nd Floor, getting all the mechanicals done. Sheetrock comes in actually next Monday."

The county is using Contegrity Group of Little Falls as construction manager; Bright said the firm helps validate change orders and costs. Bright also serves as a part‑time on‑site job supervisor to reduce surprises and control expenses. "We're currently holding our budget very well to what we had set," he said.

Bright said planning included ensuring HHS operations would continue while about 65 staff work off-site during the roughly nine‑month construction period; he urged residents to check the county blog for weekly photo updates and progress notes. He also said he coordinates closely with Sarah Pratt, the director for Health and Human Services, to ensure the renovated space meets departmental workflows.

Separately, Bright said the county received FEMA and insurance funds after straight‑line wind damage to several buildings and will use those proceeds to build a new boat‑and‑water building, a new maintenance building at the fairgrounds and an industrial/exhibit building that serves as winter boat storage. "We have gotten the funds from FEMA," Bright said, adding those reconstruction projects will start in the spring. The host and Bright clarified that those projects are not being paid for with new county tax revenue.

On another planned project, Bright said the county is seeking state funds to replace windows at the former courthouse (now the Judicial Center). He estimated the replacement would cost "roughly $800,000," noting the building's listing on the National Register of Historic Places increases specifications and cost.

Bright thanked the county board for maintaining funds for facilities upkeep and said routine maintenance across the county is handled by a small five‑person facilities team augmented by department staff at outlying sites such as the highway and land department outbuildings and Long Lake Conservation Center. He described the county's staffing model and shift structure—three staff on afternoon/evening shifts for cleaning, one early shift for day work and one worker assigned largely to jail maintenance.

Bright agreed to return to the podcast near the end of the HHS project to report final costs and outcomes.