Council approves feasibility study for historic Dell Rapids bathhouse; fundraising plan proposed

The Dell Rapids City Council voted to approve a feasibility study and limited site access for inspection of the city’s historic bathhouse under Resolution 2026‑11.

Dennis, the project's local proponent, told the council the structure—added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987—has an unsafe roof and other structural problems flagged in a structural‑engineering review by Albertson engineers. He summarized the engineer’s recommendations, which include demolishing and replacing a failing concrete slab, regrading the north (street) side to prevent water pooling, reconstructing damaged sections of the south (river) wall if needed, and replacing the current roof with a freestanding roof supported on pillars so roof loads would not bear on the stone/concrete walls. “The recommendation of the engineers is to tear this whole roof and pillars out and replace it with a freestanding roof,” he said.

Dennis walked the council through line items shown on his slides: slab demolition ($9,600) and slab replacement ($19,200) were listed, and the slides included a figure for a new standing‑seam roof that the presenter questioned as high (the transcript records a $270,000 line item). The presenter also reported a slide total that appears truncated in the transcript ('$346.08' as recorded); he said the fundraising target he would pursue is roughly $350,000. He described a proposed public‑engagement schedule—neighborhood meetings in late spring, interviews in June–July and a report to council in August estimating how much could be raised—and said major work would most likely occur in 2027 if fundraising succeeds.

Council members asked about the technical approach to assessing foundations. Dennis said he had consulted about ground‑penetrating radar but that the structural engineer recommended hydro‑vac excavation to expose foundation footings; he told the council a contractor had offered to perform holes at about $400 per location so the team could inspect the footing in person.

Council member Hanslick moved to adopt Resolution 2026‑11 to authorize the feasibility study and limited property access; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Under the approved plan the proponent will return with a written feasibility report in August documenting likely fundraising capacity and recommended next steps.

What happens next: staff will process the resolution paperwork and the proponent said he will convene community meetings and interviews this spring and summer; the council will receive the formal feasibility report in August before any further commitment of city funds or construction work. The slides and the engineer’s full report are on the city’s Master Plan / park planning materials for review.