Raising the price tag on a new Minneapolis flagpole

A new Minneapolis City Hall flagpole is drawing scrutiny after the total project cost came to nearly $700,000.

The new flagpole on top of Minneapolis City Hall can be raised and lowered with the touch of a button. The project also included remodeling the roof around it.

The City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the new flagpole cost around $309,000, about half of the total project cost. They said the old pole was rotting and needed to be replaced.

The new pole can raise and lower the flag with one touch of a button. Because the flag is lit, it stays up all the time and is only lowered to half-staff or to replace a worn flag.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS went to the Municipal Building Commission, which operates Minneapolis City Hall, to ask about the cost paid for by Minneapolis and Hennepin County taxpayers. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS was told no one was available to speak.