Witness the Transformation of Grand Marais' New Hub

Interior Tasks in Full Swing

As of November 26th, 95% of the sheetrock has been completed, and the crews are approximately 60% finished with taping. This level of progress showcases the efficiency of the construction team. Additionally, 40% of the ceramic wall tile has been installed but awaits grouting. The painting of interior walls has also begun this week, starting with the mechanical and electrical rooms. Next week, the focus will shift to installing the mechanical and electrical finishes.

The installation of windows is expected to commence mid-next week and could take up to 1-2 weeks. This is an important step in completing the building and ensuring proper ventilation and natural light.

Exterior Completion and Focus on Liquor Store

The exterior brick pavers have been installed, and 75% of the exterior siding is now complete. While the entire building is being worked on, the priority remains on finishing the liquor store portion first. The city has leased the Beaver House as a temporary liquor store and plans to move into the new space after the first of the year. Once the liquor store is ready, the rest of the building will follow suit.

Furniture and Shelving Procurement

City Administrator Mike Roth is finalizing the furniture selections for the city hall and shelving for the liquor store. As of November 26th, the cost of the selections is $160,000, with $175,000 set aside in the project budget. However, the chairs for the council chambers still need to be selected. There may be some fluctuations in the final cost, but Roth is confident in the overall plan.

Time Capsule Installation

Recently, John Haggenmiller installed a time capsule in the new building. Mayor Tracy Benson collected a variety of items to include, such as materials from the Grand Marais Public Library, a staff t-shirt from the Grand Marais Recreation Park, a 2025 calendar from photographer David Johnson, a book on the history of downtown Grand Marais, and other small items. This time capsule will serve as a memento of this important construction project.

The new city hall/liquor store building is expected to be completed in late January or early February. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting construction project.