Black Hawk County supervisors review options to redevelop Second Floor administrative wing

Design consultants presented preliminary layouts for redevelopment of the Black Hawk County Courthouse Second Floor on Sept. 4, and supervisors directed staff to expand schematic options to include the basement and the county engineer’s area while staff await an inspection report on an off-site property.

The meeting, held as a work session, opened a conversation among supervisors, county staff and the design team about whether to renovate the existing Second Floor offices, relocate the county attorney or other departments, or pursue use of an off-site building (referred to during the meeting as the Longfellow option). The presentation emphasized preliminary “test-fit” layouts, potential phasing (with the IT server move first), and trade-offs tied to mechanical/infrastructure work and budget impacts.

Why it matters: The review addresses workspace shortages for finance and board staff, public-facing customer flow near passport and recorder services, and security and daylighting concerns for employees who spend substantial time in their offices. Supervisors said those priorities — staff access to natural light, secure reception, and preserving confidential access to HR — should guide the design scope and any…