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On board Council backs effort to bring federal offices into former treatment facility Staff Writer Brainerd is throwing its support behind an effort to bring federal offices to vacant buildings at the former Brainerd Regional Human Services Center.
Former Sen. Don Samuelson brought the request Monday to the Brainerd City Council because he said he's had compassion for that site for years, even helping construct some of the buildings when he worked as a bricklayer.
"I was sad, and even angry, to see the state dismantle so many of the programs that have been there," Samuelson told the council. "I certainly want to do my best to promote the use of the buildings at that site."
In a resolution presented to the council, Samuelson noted that at its peak the center employed more than 680 people. Now it has about 190 for the few state programs still there.
The resolution, passed by the council unanimously, urges the state's Congressional delegation to support a federal government center in the BRHSC campus which would include, but not be limited to, veterans health care facilities and offices for the departments of revenue, agriculture, environment and others.
The resolution also asks the state of Minnesota to be supportive and cooperative to such efforts.
Samuelson said he's been working with a group of former employees at the campus, Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corp. Executive Director Sheila Haverkamp, council members Bob Olson and Lucy Nesheim and Crow Wing County Commissioner Rosemary Franzen, among others, to put together a plan for future use of the campus.
Most important, Samuelson said, would be getting health care facilities for veterans.
"The government hasn't treated veterans very well, going all the way back to World War I," Samuelson said. "What better place than the Brainerd treatment center, with all the empty buildings."
Samuelson said the resolution doesn't bind the city to any financial support for the proposal. He also said he would be approaching the Crow Wing County Board for their support.
"I think we got a real leader heading this up," said Olson before making his motion to approve Samuelson's resolution.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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