The City of Orono engaged Oertel Architects to design its new Public Works campus, completed in the spring of 2024. This state-of-the-art facility encompasses a 60,000-square-foot full-service public works building that integrates vehicle storage, maintenance, offices, workshops, and support spaces. Additional site features include exterior covered and open storage bins, a dedicated salt building, a brine production facility, and a fuel island, all strategically arranged for optimal functionality.

The site, a former MnDOT property located off Old Crystal Bay Road and adjacent to Highway 12, presented significant design challenges. Its steep slopes, long and narrow footprint, and proximity to residential neighborhoods required innovative solutions. Oertel Architects collaborated closely with city staff, council members, easement stakeholders, and neighboring residents to create a thoughtfully planned campus.