The county board Tuesday hired a St.

Wednesday, August 22, 2001

The county board Tuesday hired a St. Paul company to perform a $9,000 reuse study for the Stevens Hardware/Western Grocery building south of the courthouse.

Karen Trow, who initiated the effort to perform the study, recommended Thomas R. Zahn and Associates, citing the firm’s extensive experience evaluating historical buildings.

The study will help determine potential uses for the abandoned structure, which the county purchased last year. The county can tell Zahn to consider whether the building has the potential for courthouse facility use.

The firm will interview commissioners, city council members and other residents to learn about the building and the community’s feelings about it. Engineers will evaluate the building and should be able to provide estimates on how much it may cost to renovate, Trow said.

The study will begin in September and a final report should be ready by mid-November. The county will contribute $2,000 toward the cost of the study.