The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board is poised to pump money into three Ely area projects.
Thursday, after the Echo’s deadline, the board was set to gather in Eveleth and consider an array of proposals recommended for funding.
Among those on the docket were $5 million for the Ely School District for renovation of the school’s athletic facilities, $169,000 for the city of Ely for the renovation of the old Depot/Wilderness Outfitters property and $146,000 for drainage repairs for the city’s Northwoods Townhome development.
Those are among millions of dollars in projects that are slated to be approved by the board, which consists of state lawmakers.
Funds for the initiatives are generated by production taxes paid by regional mines.
For the Ely School District, IRRRB approval is the next step in a project already authorized by Minnesota lawmakers in a bill passed during the 2023 legislative session.
Lawmakers set aside $250,000 specifically for improvements to Veterans Memorial Field, the baseball stadium on the school campus, as well as another $5 million for overall improvements to district athletic facilities.
The school’s facilities committee has been working with SEH, an engineering firm, on plans to improve the football field, arena, baseball and softball fields, and the high school gymnasium, in a project that is slated to go to bids in early-2026.
Construction is expected to begin next spring.
Plans call for major structural repairs to the arena, upgrades both to the football stadium and playing surface, a major renovation to the softball field and additional upgrades to the baseball facility. Ceiling and plaster repairs in the gymnasium as well as new lighting are also in the works.
The IRRRB is also set to provide a $169,000 grant for water main and sewer line extension and hookup for the redevelopment of the former train depot and Wilderness Outfitters facility.
Built in 1889, the depot is believed to be one of the first structures in Ely and was the home of rail operations until the late-1960s. It later served as home to Wilderness Outfitters for over 40 years.
Vacant for several years, the property is now set to be redeveloped as part of a nearly $3.7 million initiative to renovate it for a proposed restaurant, brewery and outdoor event center.
Private investment forms the bulk of the funding for the proposed project.
Meanwhile, the city is set to receive another $146,000 for drainage system repairs to reduce flooding, as well as sidewalk, door and gutter replacement at the 26-unit Northwoods Townhomes, a senior rental development owned by the Ely Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
IRRRB funds account for half of the money in the $293,000 project, with the Ely HRA funding the balance.
Overall, the IRRRB is set to invest $4.4 million in public works projects for area cities this week, for projects overall that will result in over $106 million in investment in the region.
