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Hubbard County staff propose reuse-center relocation and fabric building under MPCA grants; project options differ on cost and site flow
Summary
Solid-waste staff presented two reuse‑center options funded partly by MPCA grants: renovate the old transfer station (higher cost) or convert a 40x100 north storage building and add a fabric building; estimated cost for the preferred option is about $1.3 million and MPCA grant deadlines require construction planning this year.
Solid-waste lead Josh Holty reviewed two development options for Hubbard County's reuse center and transfer station that rely on Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) grants. Holty said the county received approximately $658,000 for the reuse-center project and an additional Greater Minnesota grant to buy equipment and build a fabric building for beneficial reuse activities.
Holty presented two feasible approaches: (1) renovate the existing transfer-station building into an expanded reuse center (this option required significant regrading and higher construction costs), or (2) convert an existing 40-by-100-foot north storage building by insulating and adding an intake/office area, plus construct a separate fabric building for equipment and covered outdoor reuse storage. Holty said the preferred ‘‘new-reuse’’ option would include a fabric building estimated at about $262,000 and bring the total project to roughly $1.3 million; with the county's 2026 budget and the MPCA funds, the project would be slightly under the currently budgeted amount for 2026.
Technical and operational points discussed by commissioners and staff included site traffic flow (Holty proposed a four-way stop at a key intersection and more roll-off space), water and hydrant access for the fabric building, stormwater management and the need for a future traffic study if demand grows. Holty noted longer-term landfill-capacity questions across the region and said the county is evaluating whether to plan for transfer-out options or new local capacity depending on state rule changes and funding.
Holty also reported diversion metrics for the county reuse center: 379.3 tons diverted in 2025 (up from 335 tons in 2024). He said MPCA grant deadlines require final design, bidding and construction scheduling to move quickly — Holty recommended pursuing engineering and bid work this spring to meet a June 30, 2027 grant project deadline.
Commissioners asked about future operational uses for the current reuse building (Holty said organics transfer or construction-and-demolition staging are possible), the siting of a possible large ATV trailhead, and whether the county can repurpose or sell underused parcels; staff agreed to move forward with design details and to coordinate with the county land commissioner and MPCA grant managers.
