Dan
Johnson has purchased the Columbian Hotel from the Ortonville
Economic Development Authority (EDA) and renovations are underway!
The EDA
and the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) are very excited to
have Dan Johnson take on this endeavor! Shortly after the
sale, Mark Buechel (Historical Architect) with the Minnesota
Historical Society came to Ortonville to meet with Dan Johnson and
EDA/HPC representatives to review the Columbian Hotel project.
After touring the Columbian from top to bottom, it was very
encouraging to hear confirmation from a Historical Architect that
the building, although in need of major repairs, still had strong
bones and is structurally sound. Dan Johnson will be working
closely throughout the project with the Minnesota Historical
Society.
Dan
Johnson has been very interested in the history of the Hotel and
also the City of Ortonville and is encouraged by the Ortonville
Historic District and the newly adopted Preservation Guidelines.
He meets often with the EDA to provide project updates and will
continue to do so throughout his Development Plan with the EDA.
Dan also frequently attends the HPC meetings to provide updates and
share his experiences through the renovation.
