"It's a big day for Grand Marais": Groundbreaking Ceremony marks official kickoff towards new City Hall, Liquor Store building
Apr 15, 2024 09:42AM ● By Content Editor
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 15, 2024
It was one of Grand Marais Mayor Tracy Benson's first days in office when she learned about the status of the "new" City Hall and Municipal Liquor Store. Hint: the status was that it was determined it was not economically feasible to remodel the original building. The year was 2015, and Benson told a crowd of community members, "It was a learning experience and an exercise in patience."
On Friday, April 12, 2024, Mayor Benson; members of the Grand Marais City Council; City Administrator Mike Roth; Jim Frisell of McGough Construction; Mike Fischer and Brandee Lian, LHB Architects; John Haggenmiller, construction supervisor; and Cheryl and Sierra, who represented Grand Marais Municipal Liquor Store for manager Chris Levine (who was unable to attend), officially broke ground on the project.
The new building will include more public restroom spaces (which received an enthusiastic response from the crowd), a larger space for engaged citizens to join Grand Marais City Council meetings, and of course, a brand new Municipal Liquor Store. Potential upgrades may also include a thermal heat pump and a green roof. A short tribute was given to the old building, which has been home to a fire hall, a cop shop, and "Many good stories," Benson said.
Mayor Benson thanked Tyson Cronberg, owner of the Beaver Hut, for providing the temporary location of the liquor store. She also asked community members to "lift a glass" to Levine and his crew for doing so much heavy lifting moving the contents of the old liquor store to the Beaver Hut. Benson thanked City of Grand Marais staff for assisting in the move as well.
The project is set to be completed in December (on Mayor Benson's December 18th birthday, to be exact), with an official welcome into the new building in January 2025. "December 18th brought a real smile to my face," she said, while also warning with a smile, "No belated birthday wishes".
After the groundbreaking ceremony, community members and those involved with the project walked to the Beaver Hut for a tour, appetizers from Superior Creamery, and beverages provided by the Liquor Store.
Construction is slated to begin this month.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Grand Marais City Hall and Municipal Liquor Store building was held on Friday, April 12, 2024.
Mike Fischer and Brandee Lian, LHB Architects address the crowd during the groundbreaking ceremony.
Grand Marais City Administrator Mike Roth addresses the crowd during the groundbreaking ceremony.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Grand Marais City Hall and Municipal Liquor Store building was held on Friday, April 12, 2024.
The new City Hall and Liquor Store Building designed by LHB Architects.
Community members and project officials walked over to the Beaver Hut for a tour of the new liquor store.
Appetizers were provided by Superior Creamery.
Beverages were provided by the Grand Marais Municipal Liquor Store.
A lot of the Beaver Hut fishing-themed decor remains throughout the store.
For more information about the new Grand Marais City Hall and Municipal Liquor Store, visit the City of Grand Marais website here.
