The Albert Lea City Council on Monday gave the green light for renovations to begin at the Edgewater Cottage.

A group of residents raised more than $35,000 in monetary donations and more than $75,000 in in-kind donations to restore the building, which is in need of structural repairs, said organizer Tony Trow.

Any money raised over what is needed for the structural repairs will go back to the city, likely to correct a water runoff problem at the site.

City Manager Chad Adams estimated the water runoff project would cost at least $6,500. Thus far, the residents had collected about $4,000 over their initial goal. The city will pick up the remaining cost.

During the meeting, there was disagreement about whether the citizens’ group should also pay to fix the water runoff at the site or whether they should only cover the renovations to the building. Areas of concern are the basement floor, the footings, the roof, the floor, the deck, the siding, the windows and the interior decor, among others.

Trow said his group would walk away from the project if they could not get the approval by Wednesday to begin or were required to pay for additional costs that were not initially in the agreement.

“They’ve done a phenomenal job as far as I’m concerned,” said 2nd Ward Councilor Larry Baker. “I’m a big supporter of this, and I don’t want to see this go.”

The agreement is technically with the Cloverleaf Lions Club because it is the entity providing insurance.

According to historical records, Edgewater Cottage originated as a farmhouse.

Freeborn County Historical Museum records indicate at one point the owner of the house operated a nearby pigeon farm or squab ranch. The cottage later became the home for Louis Kroessin, a harness maker and poultry farmer, and then was owned by Samuel Sorenson.

In 1925 or 1926, the city of Albert Lea acquired the farm.

The upper story of the house was removed and the lower part was converted into the present Edgewater Cottage. At one point, it even sold concessions, including ice cream.

A deck with a view of Edgewater Bay was added after 1975.