St. Louis County Depot to Receive $16.5 Million in Bond Sale

DULUTH, Minn. — The St. Louis County Board has authorized a $19.5 million dollar bond sale to fund county projects, including critical improvements to the St. Louis County Depot.

The St. Louis County Depot has been authorized to receive $16.5 million dollars in bonds from the county.

The funds will go towards a complete upgrade to the depots heating, ventilation and air-condition systems, as well as the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

“We have some spaces that are extremely hot, some that are extremely cold,” Mary Tennis, St. Louis County Depot Director said.

The 133-year old building has undergone updates and patchwork on the systems over the years… but a new and modern replacement is long over due.

“Every opportunity that we’ve had, we’ve really done everything we can to try to express the need for the project. And all the while, the project has increased in price tag. And also, meanwhile, our building systems have been lagging,” Tennis said.

Major upgrades and replacements will be done in the depots two main system hubs, as well as the many mechanical rooms across the building.

The upgrades are critical, not only to restore the systems that are nearing or past their lifecycle’s, but the upgrades provide a promising future to the depot.

“Knowing that there’s this legacy renovation that’s happening that’s going to help keep the building healthy and happy for decades and decades into the future, and also help the arts and cultural organizations that are stationed here also thrive, is absolutely extraordinary,” Tennis said.

Not only does the depot serve as a community hub, eight organizations rely on the building every day, as well as all the historic artifacts in the building.

“It isn’t just about the building itself, which is a very precious and valuable historic property, but it’s about what’s inside. We also, and it’s not just about history. You know, we have dancers that require special temperature and humidity to do what they do every single day,” Tennis said.

The project looks to start this November and take around two years to complete.