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<br /> STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: 7/14/2026 <br /> Workshop <br /> <br />TO: Lake Elmo City Council <br />FROM: Jason Stopa, Community Development Director <br />AGENDA ITEM: Old City Hall <br />REVIEWED BY: Nicole Miller, City Administrator <br /> <br /> <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br /> <br />☒ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☒ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☒ Managed Growth ☐ Resilient Infrastructure <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The Old City Hall was built in 1986 and is 2,806 square feet building on a 1.5-acre site. It is a single-story <br />wood framed building with a shingle roof. The city moved into a new City Hall adjacent to the old <br />building. Since moving, the building has been leased but is currently vacant. The building needs <br />considerable repair, which is outlined in the Space Needs Study from 2017. This report will provide <br />different scenarios to consider. This item was discussed at the October 2025 workshop with new <br />information provided. <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />Staff would like input on how to move forward with the Old City Hall. A few options are listed below. <br /> <br />• Demolish the building and expand parking <br />• Lease the building to a business (City Hall parking could be located in the back and a new <br />business parking lot in the front <br />• Keep the building and revisit the issue next year <br />• Monitor the school site and partner with future developers <br /> <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />Condition of the Building <br />The Space Needs Study from 2017 covers the condition of the building. Since the review is from 2017, a <br />new assessment should be completed before considering reuse of the building. Below is section from the <br />study. The entire study is attached which contains an architectural report of the building and site. <br /> <br />City Hall was built in 1986 and is 2,806 square feet. It is a single-story wood framed building with a shingle <br />roof. The exterior cedar lap siding is failing and needs to be replaced. The vinyl windows are cracked and <br />need to be replaced. The roofing is at the end of its service life and needs to be replaced. The restrooms are <br />not accessible. There is very little in the way of security. There is insufficient office space and conference <br />room space. The space allocated to the sheriff’s department is too small and improperly equipped.