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The Blue Mound Tower turns 50 this year just as it wraps up a major construction and remodeling project.
The seven-story, 70-unit apartment building welcomed its first tenants Feb. 20, 1971, and a community open house that summer hosted more than 1,200 people from 62 towns and 11 different states.
On Thursday, Dec. 16, an open house will again welcome the community, this time for holiday treats and building tours to celebrate the Blue Mound Tower 50th Anniversary.
The event, from 1 to 5 p.m., will also celebrate the building’s $1.3 million construction project.
Over a year in the making, work centered on overdue infrastructure updates, such as a leaky roof, outdated safety features and inefficient lighting and plumbing fixtures, to name a few.
A new generator now operates elevators and provides electricity to primary areas of the building in the event of power outages.
Housing director Tammy Johnson provided regular updates on the organization’s social media page.
“Tenants who were not able to use the stairs during a power outage will now be able to safely use the elevators and not worry about the risk of entrapment,” she said.
“Oxygen-dependent tenants will be able to transfer their concentrators to the first floor and plug into generator-powered outlets. They will no longer have to worry about having enough portable oxygen tanks on hand during longer outages.”
Other electrical improvements include a new intelligent fire alarm system, digital thermostats, GFI outlets and baseboard heaters.
The project also:
•improved the sprinkler system and fire alarm panel.
•improved handicap access to the west entrance.
•replaced faulty windows.
•upgraded security lighting.
•replaced toilets with water conservation models.
•replaced lights with newer and more efficient LED fixtures.
On the building’s exterior, construction workers removed and replaced building joints/ sealants and also removed and replaced all window and air-conditioning sleeve sealants.
Skylights replaced
While many of these upgrades were overdue and vital to the health and safety of the building occupants, the most highly anticipated project was replacing the stained, leaky skylight windows.
The new skylights are energy-efficient with high performance ratings (R-Value and U-Value). During the roof construction, old insulation was replaced with a thick layer of new insulation.
“This is a beautiful building. The new skylights made a world of difference,” Johnson posted. “A lot of our projects were much needed infrastructure upgrades so it is nice that there are things we can enjoy, too.”
As if to put icing on the cake, the atrium paint was refreshed from a yellowish color — likely original to when the building was first opened — to a cleaner white shade.
“It’s really pretty when the sun shines in,” Johnson said. “We decided to do the high walls a very neutral/timeless color because it could be another 50 years before they paint it again.”
Project funding
The $1.3 million project was funded in part by grants through the Department of Employment and Economic Development and deferred, forgivable state loan through the Publicly Owned Housing Program.
The work also qualified for water and electrical rebates with its efficiency upgrades.
Johnson worked tirelessly to secure the grant funding as part of her overall quest to make the Blue Mound Tower a warm and welcoming home for tenants.
Her efforts earned her the 2021 Outstanding Achievement Award at the annual conference of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials earlier this year.
“One of the reasons Tammy was selected for this honor was due to the kindness and care she shows residents,” said Dara Lee, Minnesota NAHRO vice president.
“Her residents love and respect her as she does her best to provide them with a comfortable home.”
The Blue Mound Tower serves a diverse population of all ages, including elderly, disabled and college students — who share a common bond under the one roof.
“We really are like a big family out here,” said Johnson, who knows nearly all the tenants by name.
“The different generations enrich each other’s lives. Our college students are a breath of fresh air for our other tenants and our older tenants are adopted parents or grandparents for our students. It’s a nice blend.”
Now, Johnson said she’s glad construction is nearly done. “Tenants have had to put up with a lot of noise and distractions, but it’s a small price to pay for all the upgrades we’re getting,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t be more excited if it was in my own home.”