What's Perham's PACC Hub project all about? Here are some answers

The demolition of the old Perham High School has been delayed as the city awaits a response from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development on the necessary paperwork to begin the demolition.

After the demolition, the old high school will be remodeled into the Hub, as part of the Perham Area Community Center and Hub project.

Here is what to expect from the PACC and Hub project:

What is the PACC Hub project?

The PACC side of the project is a remodel and expansion of the existing building. The design phase for the project is expected to be completed between October 2002 and January 2021. Construction is planned to take place from March 2021 to May 2022 and will take place in conjunction with the completion of the Fox Street Improvements in 2021

The Hub will be a remodel of the old high school, which the city bought from the Perham-Dent school district for $72,860.85. The Hub is the end result of discussions on what should become of the old high school. Those discussions started in 2016, once the new High School was completed .

According to Perham City Manager Jonathan Smith, the sale of the old High School is in the process of closing and the demolition is excepted to start on Sept. 7.

The designs for both the Hub and the PACC projects are being done by BHH Partners Planners Architect.

Who has the construction bids?

“Right now, the only part of the project that has been bid is the demo, which Hammers is the contractor,” Smith said. “The Hub will hopefully be bid later this fall and the PACC would follow shortly thereafter.”

What will be in the Hub?

The Hub will be occupied by Empowering Kids and the Boys and Girls Club. Both groups have been working together with the city and BHH on the designs to make sure that the remodeled space meets the needs of those it will be serving.

What are the new updates coming to the PACC?

On the main level, the PACC’s floor plan includes a new entrance and lobby area, offices, locker rooms, a climbing wall, a children’s playland with party rooms, and a child watch area. A new therapy pool is also being considered, provided that enough funding is available, for the main level plans. Changes to the upper level include a new senior area, a cycling room, bathrooms, and an updated fitness area.

How much is the project going to cost and how is it being funded?

The Hub project, including the demolition, is estimated to cost $6.8 million. “State funding (DEED) is taking care of $6 million and we have collected donations for the other $800,000,” Smith said.

The cost of the PACC project is estimated to be $9.027 million, which will be paid for through the city sales tax revenue and fundraising. The city will need to bond for an estimated $3.4 million in sales tax revenue and fundraising will have to be done to cover the rest of the project’s cost.