St. Cloud Keeping Tech High School’s History During Renovation

(KNSI) – Officials say St. Cloud’s new city hall aims to preserve the history of Tech High School. St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis says keeping the building’s history is important, with thousands of St. Cloud area residents having passed through its doors in more than 100 years.

Taken by Jake Judd (KNSI News)

“That original building 1917, and then that first edition in 1938, are the most structurally solid parts of the building and the most historical, and that’s the part we’re moving into.”

He says the lockers are no different from when the students last saw them a few years ago. The first two floors of the three-story building will be used as city offices, with the third floor and basement used for storage. The mayor says he would like to work with the community on showing off the history of the school’s students through the years.

“We’ll work with the history museum and maybe the Alumni Association and take three of those classrooms that are going to be empty and put some desks in for the periods of times over that over that 100 years. So mannequins in there maybe with some of the clothing style of some of the students back in that period.”

He says part of that history is preserving the building’s facade, virtually unchanged since 1917.

“You wouldn’t design the mosaic and some of the artwork that’s on the 2017 building. And you really have to look closely to determine which was the 1917 building and which was 1938. They did a great job when they added on 1938.”

Photo Taken By Jake Judd (KNSI News)

He says there’s a lot of hidden gems inside, too, including the original coal-fired boilers. The new council chambers will be in the first gym. Kleis says the new council chambers will have a little different layout.

Photo Taken by Jake Judd (KNSI News)

“The public and the council should be on the same level. So, it won’t be a raised platform, there’ll be a dais in-front where the council will sit with the administration, and then there’ll be a table where the public can sit. And when people are testifying, they’ll be at that same level.”

The mayor says the new space will create greater efficiency between the departments, and better public access when you come into either pick up your trash bags, get a burning permit or buy a parking permit. St. Cloud is strongly considering moving its fire administration to the new city hall because of its involvement with building codes and development.

The mayor says the movers will start soon. On January 24th, the day of the first council meeting in the building, there will be an open house. A time capsule will also be buried in the new council chamber’s wall.

The redevelopment of the former high school cost around $10.8 million.