Decorah’s Municipal Building — remodel or rebuild?

The Decorah Municipal Building houses the city’s fire and police departments, the Decorah Parks and Recreation office, city staff, Winneshiek Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management officials. (Photo by Denise Lana)

Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken has spent several years working with the Decorah City Council to remedy issues with the city’s municipal building, and their work has gained traction in the past few weeks.    

The building was designed by renowned local architect Charles Altfillisch in 1959 and constructed in 1960. Today, Decorah’s Municipal Building houses the police department, fire department and city business offices. It was initially revered for its contemporary design and unusual roof architecture. 

Along the way, according to archives, the building had several upgrades and improvements — temperature control and air conditioning was installed in 1972, an addition was to the fire station’s single bay was constructed in 1983 and council chambers were redesigned in 1992.   

But nearly 75 years after the building was completed, its unusual roof has started to leak and its tiles are weakening —  just some of a growing list of concerns within the aging structure. Some portions of the building, such as certain restrooms and entrances are not compliant with the American with Disabilities Act — and there is no ramp access in the council chambers.

Full article in the September 5 Decorah Leader.

Submit A Comment

Fill out the form to submit a comment. All comments require approval by our staff before it is displayed on the website.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments