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As ERMU expanded, it <br /> = frequently evaluated its office <br /> space to ensure that it was <br /> still adequate. ERMU offices <br /> were long housed in the city <br /> municipal building at 322 <br /> King Avenue, which had also <br /> served as a fire station,jail, <br /> and library over the years. <br /> i+= <br /> Until 1975, ERMU only <br /> is ' occupied a portion of the <br /> -- building,but that year, its <br /> � xoffices expanded into the <br /> entire building. A 1996 <br /> assessment found that the <br /> Former ERMU Office at 322 King Avenue building continued to meet <br /> (Elk River Municipal Utilities) ERMU's needs. That <br /> conclusion was reexamined <br /> two years later when Midwest Construction invited ERMU to move to its new office building at <br /> the corner of King and Main streets. The commission decided that ERMU's current space was <br /> still adequate, so the cost of moving could not be justified.'19 <br /> Discussion of relocating the ERMU offices began again in September 2000. Bryan Adams, who <br /> was general manager at that time, reported to the commission that ERMU would outgrow its <br /> current location within five years and suggested it begin looking for a new location. Council <br /> Member John Dietz noted that he"would like to see the Utilities stay in the central business <br /> district as their business generates a great deal of traffic in the downtown business district."120 <br /> In 2001, discussion on a new office space intensified. Several different sites were considered and <br /> ERMU decided in June to bring an architect on board to draw possible layouts for a building on a <br /> downtown site that had been occupied by First National Insurance. At the same time, a new city <br /> hall complex was being planned. Since the project was in its early phases, Dietz recommended <br /> that ERMU think about moving into that building. The city council supported the idea and told <br /> ERMU that it could move into the new city hall at no cost,with the space custom-designed for <br /> its needs. A central office would allow the city and ERMU to share employees, which would <br /> save money and increase efficiency. In addition, having ERMU's offices close to other city <br /> services would offer contractors and residents one-stop shopping. The one drawback to this <br /> arrangement, however, was that it would take ERMU's offices out of downtown, and the <br /> commission feared that it would appreciably diminish traffic to downtown businesses. With the <br /> issue undecided, the city went forward with construction, leaving space for ERMU if it decided <br /> to move into city hall. After continued concerns about moving ERMU's office out of downtown <br /> 19 Jessica Quanrud,compiler,`Back When-75 Years Ago,"Elk River Star News,July 9,2003;John Dietz, <br /> interview by Rachel Peterson,June 5,2014;ERMU,"Regular Meeting of the Commission," September 11, 1996, <br /> and July 14, 1998.Dietz spoke to a long-time Elk River resident who recalled that ERMU had occupied the <br /> Municipal Building"as long as she could remember' (Dietz interview). <br /> 120 Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Minutes,September 13 and 25,2000. <br /> 32 <br />