ST. PAUL – State Representative Tony Jurgens (R-Cottage Grove) says he is authoring legislation that would help construct the Health and Emergency Response Occupations (HERO) Center in Washington County.
“There is clearly a need for a training facility in our area, and this project is shovel-ready,” Jurgens said. “As long as there’s local support behind this project I will work hard to secure needed bonding proceeds for the HERO Center.”
Jurgens’ bill would allocate $9.7 million in state bonding proceeds towards the construction of the HERO Center. The rest of the cost would be paid for by the cities of Cottage Grove and Woodbury.
Jurgens is also sponsoring legislation that would rehabilitate and preserve the Hastings City Hall and police station buildings.
“This building is a prominent part of Hastings’ historic downtown and having been around for nearly 150 years, common sense tells us some repairs are needed,” Jurgens said.
This bill would provide $1.5 million in bonding proceeds to repair masonry, replace dome cupola roofs and decorative metal, make HVAC improvements and work on the foundation, among other needs. If approved, the City of Hastings would match the state’s investment.
Jurgens looks to make his case before the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee that the HERO Center and Hastings Public Square projects are deserving of inclusion in the Minnesota House bonding bill this session. This proposal funds needed construction projects throughout the state. Governor Dayton did not recommend any of Jurgens’ proposals as part of his $1.5 billion capital investment recommendations.