Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 28 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
City selling RTC artifacts
Published 12:00 p.m., May 4, 2009
A summer auction will give area residents the chance to purchase assorted tools, medical equipment and office supplies once used at the Regional Treatment Center (RTC).
The RTC is currently home to roomfuls of discarded items formerly used in day-to-day operations at the facility — everything from crutches to wardrobes to giant kitchen mixers. It makes sense considering the property once functioned as its own community.
“This place was unbelievable — it was so self-sufficient,” said Guy Taylor, Fergus Falls assistant building inspector. “They had everything.”
That means there’s a lot to clear out before any development or demolition at the site begins. In February staff from State Operated Services facilities around Minnesota had their pick of RTC property.
“They took truck after truck of stuff and we’ve still got all this left,” Taylor said.
Starting in late February, city staff could claim RTC property for their departments. The fire department and Pebble Lake Golf Club received kitchen equipment, while parks and recreation and other public works departments benefited from hand tools, power tools and hardware like nails and screws. Staff are still in the process of removing copper piping from the facility’s basement.
But despite the visits from state and city staff, many tools, supplies and furnishings remain. Taylor, who has overseen work at the RTC since December, is organizing an auction tentatively scheduled for early to mid-June. The auction will be held at the RTC and will be publicized once the date is finalized. Taylor said he hopes to arrange for a Sentence to Serve crew to move auction items from the building and set up for the event.
“Anything that would be left over (from the auction) would either just be thrown away, salvaged...or just included in any demolition work that might be done,” Taylor said. “That would be included in the demo funds that have been set aside by the state for the city to use.”
Meanwhile, asbestos abatement has finished in the portion of the building formerly occupied by the chemical dependency facility. The property’s underground reservoir, incinerator and a tunnel leading to the nursing cottages are scheduled to be demolished this summer, all with state dollars.
The rest of the tunnel system will likely be demolished eventually, said City Engineer Dan Edwards, as the tunnels would not be used for any new utilities.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Posted by waxwing069 (anonymous) on May 4, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So it looks like the RTC's days are numbered now... What a surprise... Looks like the chinese decided against the school. What a waste of a beautiful building.
Posted by 1125thmp (anonymous) on May 4, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The secretive nature and elusive tone of the RTC development corporation over the last year as to what was happening started the clock on this long ago. Nothing comes of such dealings, especially when it comes to public tax dollars on the block. At least this may give a definitive end to something. As sure as Stop N Go must go for a parking lot, somethings at least are set in stone at the the RTC. Hopefully the masterpiece of the Kirkbride will be saved in some form, but as to what and to who's benefit, that yet remains hidden.
Posted by NeedMoreInfo (anonymous) on May 4, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What is the latest status of the proposed business dealing with the Chinese and turning the RTC into a school?
Posted by watermelon (anonymous) on May 4, 2009 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It would be a shame if they didn't re-use some of the buildings on the campus, but the longer everything sits the worse everything gets. And then more excuses as to how the campus cannot be saved because it is too far gone or too expensive. Or just too much red tape
Hopefully I can score some old frankenstein-style medical equipment from the 1950's.
Posted by cascade (anonymous) on May 4, 2009 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder how big the underground reservoir is? I'm picturing a massive tile-lined overbuilt cave-like structure.
Posted by imjustagirl (anonymous) on May 4, 2009 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
whine, whine, cry, piss and moan. There, now I am a part of your conversation.
Posted by farawaythankgod (anonymous) on May 4, 2009 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I want the lobotomy equipment.
Posted by tippy98c (Aaron Schultz) on May 4, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can we please use the funds from the auction to clean up Lake Alice?
Posted by tippy98c (Aaron Schultz) on May 4, 2009 at 4:30 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by roydarecker (anonymous) on May 4, 2009 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cascade was wondering how big the underground reservoir is. At full capacity it could hold 500,000 gallons of water. They quit using it last summer when the city installed a new line to the eastside of the main building. The reservoir is located up by the nurses cottage. There is a small valve house at the south edge of the tank it is constructed of poured concrete with a lock man hole access just north of the cottage. The tank stayed clean enough after all thos years of use that you could see the form marks in the concrete floor after all the years of use.
Posted by ottergrad (anonymous) on May 4, 2009 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
After watching hours of city council meeting tonight learning about water pressure and chickens within the city limits. I didn't realize until I played back tevo that the developers had a update right in the beginning of the meeting.
They had some good news and it seems like a realistic assessment as to the process that they need to go through to get things finalized. There was a mention of another update next month. It was reassuring to hear things are moving forward and they asked for time and patience. Much like the remodeling of the middle school here in Fergus Falls it is a big project and we cannot expect it to happen overnight.
Posted by Bcannell (anonymous) on May 4, 2009 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Overnight? It's been two years! These updates are so vague they are meaningless and just made to lull people into just giving into the developers when the Chinese take a walk.
Posted by onlyme (gene schmidt) on May 5, 2009 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What artifacts will be sold?
I thought the Ottertail County Museum and Human Services in the Cities had gotten them.
Posted by FergusFamily (anonymous) on May 5, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
An update on curriculum? Give me a break. It's like he had to dig to find a miniscule thing to say just so he could say "I provided an update." His attitude toward the City is that he's the knight on shining armor saving the building and our city; CDG acts like they are entitled to this property and building for cheapo. If it gets developed into something magical, then they should be treating it like they are being GIVEN a $100 million asset - thankful, appreciative, kind, etc. I don't think they're capable of that kind of teamwork or spirit.
Posted by Bcannell (anonymous) on May 5, 2009 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder how much that $100,000.00 antique pool table will sell for? If it even makes it to the auction, I understand it is missing but several city employees say they know who has it in their house, I suppose they are just keeping it in protective custody so nobody steals it.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on May 5, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who gave away a load of brass plumbing?
Is the building going to be saved?
If so how much?
Who took pieces of fancy stairway rail?
Are the Chinese really going to use it?
History will never see this sort of building come again. Save it!
Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on May 5, 2009 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
cut a hole in top of the underground reservoir and we got the swimming pool for the school.
Posted by metasonics (Jamie Cooper) on May 5, 2009 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well at least we don't have to worry about the money that movie would have brought into Fergus.
LOL
why would they be removing plumbing if they weren't planning demolition? anyone here go looking to buy a home or commercial space with the plumbing removed?
lies, lies lies.... as usual!
Jamie Cooper
Posted by clarson (anonymous) on May 5, 2009 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Probably why they didn't want the movie filmed there. It was already being looted and they didn't want the public to find out about it.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on May 5, 2009 at 10:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The plumbing was inventory and used stuff. Not part of the building. My info was not first hand.
Posted by metasonics (Jamie Cooper) on May 5, 2009 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
from the article "Staff are still in the process of removing copper piping from the facility’s basement."
Posted by ottergrad (anonymous) on May 5, 2009 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To some it is a priceless asset and to CDG they understand this gem cannot be replaced. To save a structure like this you need a viable reuse that cash flows. A university is a big idea and probably makes economic sense once it is operational. It will take big bucks and a big risk to try start something like this. Never mind that it involves students from a foreign country.
I never got the impression at anytime the developers think they are entitled to anything. They are spending lots of money designing this project and it is not city money or state money. I applaud them for taking a risk to create something that could be Magical. If it works I will jump for joy and if it doesn't you cannot fault them or the city because of current economic conditions. For now it sounds like things are still moving forward with challenges and I will quietly wish them the best.
Posted by ajohnsonx (anonymous) on May 6, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They will never be able to sell the building for a profit. The idea of "selling for a dollar" is the same as turning it over. Whoever takes it over will take on the burden of bringing it up to date to be useable, a multi-million dollar project at the least. There is no immediate profit to anyone for the sale of the buildings/grounds, maybe in 10 to 15 years.
Posted by ottergrad (anonymous) on May 6, 2009 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shrouded in Secrecy? That's absurd! The city received an update last month and another is scheduled this month. What do you expect from a private group trying to get one of the biggest projects off the ground in Fergus Falls during one of the biggest recessions in history.
My opinion is they have been rather open and candid as to the progress. I don't know how they can pull this off with the country's financial condition. Will there be lenders willing to participate in a project this unique and risky in Fergus Falls? Will there be any geo political activities that will prevent Chinese students from participating. Financing, visa issues and expenses could kill this deal in a heartbeat.
The main complex has a negative value of over 5 million. Who in there right mind would accept that liability without a sound business model? What lender would participate without a bankable business plan? Business plans and lending issues are never open to the general public. The city also has to approve the business plan and the financial model and I am sure they won't do anything unless it appears to work.
If the college does not come together both parcel A and B will be bought by the original parties from November of 2007. As I said before given the complexities of creating a college and current lending issues in today's business environment they need all the help they can get. I am sure a good dose of good luck won't hurt.
I will quietly cheer them on and hope it stays on track. My business needs something like this to shake up this town.
I will also put my two cents into this forum to provide balance to knee jerk reactions to rumors and speculation.
Posted by steve1955 (anonymous) on May 6, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So little onehunglo wakes up one morning on his eighteenth birthday, eats his bowl of rice and opens his birthday presents. One is a gift certificate for a degree at the collage of his choice anywhere in the world.
His Chinese schoolmates advise him to chose the University of China, his rich uncle advises him to chose Princeton in the United States, no says his father chose Yale, but his mother says chose Harvard. But little onehunglo rejects all the advise he is given and tells everyone “I will chose to go to Fergus Falls Minnesota for my degree” All his friends and the entire village agree that is the best choice”. Onehunglo will be an honor student at FFU.
Posted by gpeterson72 (anonymous) on May 6, 2009 at 2:39 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by roydarecker (anonymous) on May 6, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The pool table is in the cities. The state came and took it to the cities before the city took possession of the property.
Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on May 6, 2009 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The 2 ornately carved pool tables went to the cities some years ago! The state figured they would bring a better price at a St. surplus auction down there,then what they thought they would get for them here! Yes, there were 2 of them!
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)
You may also register to comment in our forums at www.fergusfeedback.com.