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Luverne’s Blue Mound Tower received a minor facelift last week when workers power-washed the building’s skylights.
Workers from Bargen Inc. of Mountain Lake spent Tuesday, Sept. 27, ridding the flat rooftop skylights of several years of dirt and grime.
“They’re still discolored,” said Executive Director Tammy Johnson. “Ours are flat, and in this climate they should be slanted or domed so dirt and snow doesn’t sit on them.”
However, cleaning was a more economical option for the senior and low income housing facility. Replacing the skylights on the North McKenzie Street facility would be in the ballpark of $70,000, Johnson said.
Built in 1971, the seven-story highrise will be updated in the coming months.
New carpet will be installed in the atrium, and the hallway lighting will be improved. Both projects have the support of the Luverne Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Johnson said.
Currently 73 people live in Blue Mound Tower. The most recent tenants are students from Minnesota West in the mostly senior citizen clientele. All but two of the 70 apartments are occupied.
“We hope to change people’s perceptions of this building,” Johnson said. “It’s beautiful. Some remodeled apartments are gorgeous and spacious. Not to mention the beautiful view of Luverne is priceless.”