Wheel and Cog Children’s Museum of Hutchinson is expanding with more space in the Hutchinson Mall. The expansion plans also include a bathroom, changing and nursing rooms, and new exhibits for families to enjoy.
There’s big things happening at Wheel and Cog Children’s Museum of Hutchinson. Thanks in part to multiple grants it has received, the popular indoor play area at the Hutchinson Mall is expanding with more space and more hands-on fun for families to enjoy.
“We wanted to expand it to allow more families to come in at once, and to try to get more people to come in from out of town, making it worth a longer visit,” said manager Ashley Nelson. “Instead of just a three-hour visit, come and play with us for five hours.”
Nelson said plans for the museum to expand into an adjacent, vacant space started this past December, and in mid-January they became a reality. The response has been positive so far, as museum visitors who come from all over Minnesota appreciate the extra room to burn out energy in the winter.
“I love it,” said Mikayla Hansen, who lives in Cosmos but has been a Wheel and Cog member for the past four years. “I have 1-year-old twins, too, and the bigger baby area is really nice.”
“They keep expanding, and that gives them the opportunity to have all the things that they rotate and make them available. And it gives more space for more families,” said Tess Davis of Hutchinson, another museum member.
Play time is learning time for children, and along with the extra space, the museum has plans for new exhibits such as a full-service vehicle repair shop. Children will be able to change the tires, oil, spark plugs and more on a 6-foot play car. The museum hopes it not only introduces children to other workforce fields, but also fosters heightened car care and safe driving habits.
The new exhibits are expected in March and April.
“We aren’t set on plans for anything else, but there’s definitely other things coming in,” Nelson said. “We’re moving the museum all different places.”
Adults will also appreciate more practical additions to the museum, such as a bathroom, nursing and changing rooms.
“There is some excitement about the bathroom being in here so (families) don’t have to walk all the way through the mall,” Nelson said. “We did receive a grant for a new nursing room, so the nursing room and changing room will be all changed as well. It’s going to be more focused on helping women be open to (nursing) here and make it easier for them to come in often.”
Like many businesses, the museum has had to deal with closures and regulations related to COVID-19 during the past two years. But it appears Wheel and Cog is emerging from the pandemic in good shape, taking on an estimated 50 new members each month, Nelson said. And she assured parents that the museum is still practicing thorough cleaning measures to provide a fun, healthy space for children to play.
“We can ensure that we’re cleaning deeply every night, and that everything is getting clean once kids touch it,” Nelson said.
For more information about museum hours or becoming a member, visit wheelandcog.com.
The city has approved plans to help Titanium Partners finance renovations to the Jorgenson Hotel building in downtown Hutchinson. The plans call for a tax-increment finance district, which does not come at the cost of taxpayer dollars.
This photo of the third floor of the Jorgenson Hotel shows the building’s current blighted state. The photo was presented to the Hutchinson City Council this past week as part of a discussion regarding a developer’s plans to renovate the building.
The historic Jorgenson Hotel is in major need of renovations before it can be open for business again.
A 24-room upscale hotel is on its way to downtown Hutchinson.
The City Council unanimously approved this past week a plan to jump-start redevelopment of the historic Jorgenson Hotel by approving a tax-increment finance district. The TIF would, for 25 years, freeze the property’s taxes to the city, school and county at their current rate. Its estimated market value of $570,900 garners $21,370 in property taxes. Additional taxes assigned to the property due to its increased value would go back to the owner to pay for redevelopment costs incurred by the developer, Titanium Partners. Overall, $23,208 per year is expected to be used this way, which would cover about 10% of the $5.98 million renovation project.
Hutchinson Economic Development Director Miles Seppelt said he originally planned to bring the item to the City Council for discussion toward the end of 2021, but delays these past few months have allowed the city and developer to finish studying the project. The city found the top two stories of the three-floor building are blighted, and redevelopment cannot reasonably occur solely through private investment. Seppelt noted work has been needed for 50 years.
“It’s obvious it’s not going to happen unless there is some sort of push,” he said.
The city contributes no public tax dollars to the TIF. However, a few Economic Development Authority loans and grants are likely, such as a $2,000 grant for signs and awnings, a $7,500 facade improvement grant, and a $150,000 downtown loan.
Once the TIF’s lifespan ends, the additional tax revenue on the more valuable property will be collected.
“The initial benefit is you’re improving a building right now that’s going to end up providing a service to the community,” said City Administrator Matt Jaunich. “In the long run, that will go back to paying more taxes in the community. But for a period of time, we are providing a benefit that, in our opinion, I think helps both the community and the development”
Seppelt said the city is also interested in the additional activity the project will bring downtown, and the reinforcement it will provide for Hutchinson businesses. If the goals of the project are not met, the assistance must be repaid to the city with interest.
THE PLAN
Titanium Partners, which built Cobblestone Hotel in Hutchinson at the intersection of Main Street and State Highway 7, plans to renovate the top two floors of the building, which have been vacant since 1970. Plans include a new roof, a new elevator, new windows, exterior tuck pointing and interior build-outs. No additional floors are planned for construction, and the ground floor has been renovated. The upscale hotel will have 24 rooms expected to cost more than $200 per night.
“It will probably be the nicest hotel within 50 miles,” said Seppelt, who was complimentary of Titanium Partners developer Brian Forcier.
“We’ve worked with him in the past and he’s very, very good to work with,” Seppelt said. “He’s got a ton of experience with redevelopment projects. He’s done a bunch of these up in Duluth. On the one side he’s got the experience, and then on the other side he’s got the resources to really do it the right way.”
The Jorgenson Hotel was constructed at the corner of Main Street and Washington Avenue in 1916 by brothers John A. and Arthur B. Jorgenson. The three-story brick building had 72 rooms and 20 bathrooms, according to the McLeod County Historical Society and Museum. Its forerunner was the Merchants Hotel, which I. B. Jorgenson purchased in 1884.
Seppelt said to expect construction activity around fall this year.
The Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism may have billed its 2022 annual event and community awards as “suspiciously fun,” but one portion of the night was entirely benevolent.
The Feb. 4 event, “Best Laid Plans: Murder at a Hollywood Mansion,” took a pause from the usual festivities when Chamber Board Chair Sheila Murphy and Hutchinson Jaycees President Amy Hanson announced the 2021 Community Award recipients. The annual awards highlight nominated Hutchinson residents who stand out in the fields of community leadership, volunteerism, business and education.
Paul Wright was named the 2021 Volunteer of the Year, Jay Malone of Jay Malone Motors was named the 2021 Business Person of the Year, Jason Olson, a teacher at Hutchinson High School, was named the 2021 Teacher of the Year, and Ashley Gabbert, director of giving and alumni relations for the Ridgewater College Foundation, was named the 2021 Young Leader of the Year.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
The nomination highlighting Wright for volunteer of the year reads: “He wears many hats on a daily basis, providing an enormous amount of time and effort to the agricultural education and sustainability efforts in Hutchinson and McLeod County.”
The Wright family hosts fourth-graders and teaches farm safety and supports FFA and 4-H with time and resources. Wright helps plant and harvest FFA crops and encourages youth participation. He also serves on the McLeod County Board and other community committees.
“He works hard every day to help form the next generation of doers,” Murphy said at the awards presentation. “Paul’s and (his wife) Heather’s four hard working and giving children are a great example of this investment of time and giving spirit being handed down generation to generation.”
Wright said he was honored to receive the award and didn’t see it coming. He called his volunteerism a family effort.
“It was my name on the award but it’s more Heather and I together,” he said. “We chose to be part of our community and use our farming and ag background to make a difference. ... It’s just really rewarding for us.”
He said the 4-H and FFA programs have provided opportunities for his children to learn leadership skills and how to be involved in the community.
“As they’ve gotten older and gone on through school and college, they are still ... part of the community,” he said.
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Malone’s nomination said he goes above and beyond every day, and thinks local with donations to area activities, offerings of vehicles and services to those in need, and weekly drawings without asking for anything in return.
“Jay is the most caring man I know, not only caring about his family and employees, but he truly cares about his customers and the community of Hutchinson,” said a letter read by Murphy.
Malone’s award was received on his behalf by his daughter, Jordan Malone, but he reacted to the honor the following week.
“You know, it’s kind of overwhelming to be honest with you,” he said. “I don’t do it for the publicity. I just do things for the community.”
He said community donations are, in his eyes, a way to give back for the support he and his family have received, which has allowed for him to provide for his family and 30 employees.
“(Hutchinson has) been a great place to raise three kids,” Malone said. “We love it here.”
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
According to one of two nomination letters written on Olson’s behalf, “He consistently teaches the message of excellence in and out of the classroom. ... He incorporates community resources wherever he can, including adult mentors in his social communications course.”
Another nomination letter read by Hanson said, “In a short time since taking over the theater productions, he has doubled attendance at these events and serves as a great ambassador for the school.”
“It is clear Jason’s strong commitment to mentorship doesn’t end by bringing people to the students, he himself demonstrates this as a coach and teacher,” Hanson said.” Former students have shared Jason was their favorite teacher, even when social studies wasn’t their favorite subject.”
Olson said he was humbled by the award.
“It feels a little strange, because I know there are a lot of teachers who do amazing work in Hutchinson,” he said. “I feel like many of them are very much better than me.”
Olson said he was inspired to become a teacher when he worked with a first-grade student as a senior in high school, and that student hugged him. He credited growth in theater program attendance to the quality of the productions, and the commitment of students, other teachers and volunteers to make that possible.
“I’ve had a lot of good people surrounding me,” he said.
YOUNG LEADER OF THE YEAR
The nomination letter written on Gabbert’s behalf said “she exceeds expectations in every aspect of her job and demonstrates exemplary leadership on all of our teams across both Ridgewater College sites. She brings a collaborative ‘how can I help’ attitude and a quiet and quirky kind of leadership others want to follow.”
Gabbert’s role as director of annual giving and alumni relations with the Ridgewater College Foundation have allowed her to build connections on campus. Around Hutchinson, she is involved in young professional development, as a Hutchinson Ambassador, and she serves on the Park and Rec Advisory Board.
“I feel very honored and appreciated,” said Gabbert. “I joined the Hutchinson community almost five years ago now. ... I feel like there are endless opportunities to get involved in Hutchinson. ... I did this all so I could get to know people and give back.”
She said the “quirky” leadership style mentioned in the nomination letter likely refers to her desire to share her personality, act honestly, and invite others to do the same.
“I like to be approachable,” Gabbert said.
- Updated
Pat May
With approximately 73% of the votes, Pat May is the winner of Tuesday’s special election for Hutchinson City Council Seat 3, according to election results published on the city’s website. The results are unofficial until after canvassing Friday.
With only 367 ballots cast in the special election, turnout was low compared to the 7,105 people who voted in the City Council Seat 3 election in November 2020. That was also a presidential election year, which typically draws more people to the polls.
May received 271 of the votes, while his challenger, Carol Johnson, received 96 votes. This means May, who was appointed by the council to the fill the seat on an interim basis back in August, will serve out the remainder of the term through 2024.
The special election was needed after Brandon Begnaud, who won election in 2020, moved away from Hutchinson and resigned from the council this past summer.
May said he has enjoyed the work so far and is glad voters have given him the opportunity to continue serving on the council.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m happy that I won,” he said. “I am enjoying it. It’s everything I thought it would, probably a little more work than everyone thinks. A lot of reading to get yourself up to speed. ... There are a lot of regulations, rules that people aren’t aware of, so I’m glad I’m able to get acclimated to it.”
Johnson said she appreciated the people who voted for her, and also complimented May, saying she felt he has done a good job since being appointed.
“From looking at the paper last week, I didn’t see a lot of difference between his opinions and my opinions,” she said. “I feel like either one of us would have been a good choice, and I’d like to see the City Council continue on the way it’s going.”
