Jim Hagedorn Stops in Albert Lea to See Construction at Former Elks Lodge Building

First District U.S. House Rep. Jim Hagedorn stopped in Albert Lea Friday to hear about construction underway at the former Elks Lodge, which is being turned into the new home for the Peterson, Kolker, Haedt & Benda law firm.

Lawyers Matt Benda and Dave Doppelhammer, along with construction superintendent Donn Richardson of Knutson Construction, met with Hagedorn and gave a short tour of some of the progress. Plans call for construction to be complete by Thanksgiving, Benda said.

Benda pointed out some of the changes in plans the business has made in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, including changing from cloth chairs in the lobby to ones that can be easily wiped off, along with other changes to help people feel safe when they