City of New Vienna hosted a fundraiser kickoff for a new municipal building and firehouse construction project Feb. 10, in an effort to educate citizens and gather community support for project that could break ground as soon as this summer.
Mayor Pat Hermsen, also a longtime fireman with the city, unveiled plans from Demmer Architecture for the project, which will cost approximately $980,000.
“The cost of construction is more than our city of 400 people can handle,” Hermsen said. “So to help us counter that, we’re reaching out to our rural patrons of our fire department.”
Hermsen said that some of the funding would come from property taxes, but that donations would also comprise a large percentage as well.
The project would add much needed space for the fire department, which currently includes 30 firefighters and EMS workers. The plan would also add a community center with a capacity of 200 plus people — a project that has seen significant community support, according to Hermsen.