Minnesota has purchased the Bix Produce Co.’s former cold storage facility in St. Paul for an emergency morgue, bracing for a peak in COVID-19 deaths that could strain morgues and funeral homes.
In a deal that closed Monday, the state paid $5.5 million for the grocery distribution warehouse and land; operating costs and improvements to ready the building for its new purpose will bring the total to $6.9 million. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to pick up about three-quarters of the cost.
The Department of Administration’s request for the funds explained that a facility is needed “that can accommodate a surge in demand for the timely, dignified, and temporary storage of human remains.” Continue reading.