Residents of Lakeland are invited to an open house on November 3, 2025, to discuss plans for a new city hall and provide feedback on proposed options for council chambers. The event will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the current Lakeland City Hall, located at 690 Quinnell Ave. N. This opportunity allows community members to engage directly with city officials about the future of their local government facilities.
City officials are currently exploring the option of acquiring the former Telus commercial building, situated at 84 St. Croix Trail S.. According to City Clerk Michelle Elsner, a non-binding letter of intent was submitted on October 1. The building, which measures 1,860 square feet, has an appraised value of $525,000. Telus, a real estate management company, is relocating to Hudson, Wisconsin, prompting this potential acquisition.
During the open house, residents will be asked to evaluate two architectural designs for the council chambers. These proposals were developed by the city’s design team to fit the new space. Additionally, plans for reconfiguring the parking lot to provide more parking options will also be discussed.
Lakeland has been grappling with what to do about its existing city hall, originally built as a Baptist church in 1868. The current building has several structural issues, including bowing exterior walls and a sagging roof frame, alongside cracks in the basement walls. Reports indicate that there are also signs of mold and water infiltration, along with accessibility challenges and elevated radon levels. Due to these problems, city staff have relocated to the city’s water department building.
Efforts to establish a new city hall have faced setbacks since the previous building, which was under construction, was destroyed in an apparent act of arson on November 13, 2016. The incident occurred shortly after then-Mayor Amy Williams, a proponent of the new city hall, lost her re-election bid to Richard Glasgow, who opposed the project. To date, no charges have been filed in connection with the arson.
As Lakeland residents prepare to voice their opinions next week, the outcome of this open house may significantly shape the future of the city’s governance and public services.
