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Mendota Heights is debating a proposed $33.1 million municipal campus project. At last night’s packed City Council meeting, a proposal to pursue a plan B design was rejected on a 3-1 vote. Residents attending the meeting, who overflowed into the lobby, were outraged when not given a chance to speak.
What’s going on: This project goes back to at least 2023 and became the top priority for Council in early 2025. The city assessed needs and explored multiple options, culminating in a unanimous vote in December 2025 to move forward with a combined city hall and police station at the current site. The project has an estimated $33.1 million price tag. After resident feedback this spring, the Council opted to shrink the design to current needs instead of planning 20 years out. That doesn’t add significant savings. City staff is also working to finalize costs to relocate ball fields impacted by the project, though initial estimates put it in the $500,000 range.
The Latest: Plan B Design
The city already has schematic designs for the project and is nearing detailed design this fall. There was a motion to consider a plan B design that might reduce costs. That was the motion City Council considered last night.
- Cost: A second schematic design would cost an additional $397,000. That proposal would also require relocation during construction, which adds $1.1-1.4 million. The delay to develop a new design could add another $250,000-750,000. In total, it’s at least $1.7 million in additional costs, potentially more.
- Council position:
- In favor: Council Member John Maczko supported the plan B, looking to save costs. He was looking for a price tag in the low-to-mid $20 million range and questioned the design consultant about renovation options. “I feel railroaded. Some in the community feel railroaded,” he said.
- Opposed: Council Member John Mazzitello and Mayor Stephanie Levine both opposed getting a second design. Mazzitello emphasized his 34 years of experience building buildings and said the current building was built cheaply and it shows. “Going back and looking at an option we already studied will cost the city more in total cost,” he said. “Why? We already looked at this, we already discussed this.” Levine highlighted the process and the need for a new facility. “We have to do something and we can’t keep kicking the can down the road,” she said. “What I don’t want to do now in the process is to run up costs. Any delay we do will run up costs.”
- Pause: Council Member Sally Lorberbaum was opposed to paying additional costs for a design the city might not use and voted no. But she noted that with an election in 90 days and a potentially different Council in January, the city should pause the project.
- Absent: Council Member Joel Paper was absent.
- Drama: After all Council members had spoken, Mazzitello called the question, forcing a vote. Maczko referenced being railroaded again, and after the vote when the mayor moved on to the next item, people in the audience began shouting wanting to be heard on the issue. There was no public hearing on the agenda and public comment was not legally required, however it is Levine’s policy to allow comments. But with the vote taken and the issue over, Levine moved on. “I honestly did not know people wanted to speak,” she said later, and encouraged people to let her know ahead of time if they want to speak on an issue and there is no official public hearing. She noted there are lots of opportunities to give feedback to Council and encouraged residents to call, email, or meet with Council members.
The full meeting is available to watch on Town Square Television.
What’s Next
Timeline: The project is moving toward detailed design approval this fall and then construction design approval in the spring with a potential construction start date in the fall of 2027.
Feedback: There have already been a number of opportunities for community engagement and there will be more. The city hosts monthly office hours on the project on the first Tuesday of every month from 4-5 p.m.
More info: There’s a wealth of information on the city’s website, including a detailed FAQ that covers many of the common questions about the needs, potential for renovation, and more.
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One Response
Regarding the Mendota Heights 8/6/26 City Council meeting where the significant number of attendees were not able to speak about the proposed MH Campus. Why was it a surprise to the mayor that this large number of attendees stayed for this item late on the agenda and wanted to speak on it? Being able to speak was previously permitted without prior notice. This item was “railroaded” through to a vote before anyone attending could speak. If this is a new hard rule is that residents have to “register” to speak at a meeting so the mayor and council can hear residents’ comments, this would certainly set a new way of working with residents in our friendly community. I note that the proposed “campus” project is the largest and most costly in the City’s history – as a former City Council member I believe it is the right of residents to weigh in on matters as significant as this.