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Supervisors pause Mosaic building EOC plan, direct staff to explore lower-cost Administration Building options
Summary
County staff presented a turnkey cost estimate for a hardened Emergency Operations Center at 221 South 11th; the Board asked staff to return with lower-cost options to expand or reconfigure the existing Administration Building EOC and to include cost estimates.
Story County staff presented a final floor plan and a more detailed cost estimate for a proposed hardened Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 221 South 11th Street during the April 8 board meeting, and supervisors asked staff to assess lower‑cost alternatives using space in the existing Administration Building.
RMH Architects presented the plan and itemized cost estimate. County staff and the architect said the high cost stems primarily from the requirements for a hardened, rated EOC space that must remain operational during severe weather and other hazards. The Emergency Management Commission has $328,208 available and would consider expending those funds pending the board’s direction.
Board members discussed several options: (1) proceed with the Mosaic building turnkey hardened EOC plan (design/construction/bid), (2) expand the current EOC in the Administration Building by taking in adjacent hallway and reconfiguring existing rooms (estimated +300 sq ft), or (3) convert a larger portion of the Administration Building into EOC space and relocate other offices within county facilities. Supervisors said hardening and rating requirements materially increase cost and that lower‑cost options that retain the EOC in Nevada merit detailed cost comparisons.
Supervisors emphasized the operational value of keeping Emergency Management near other county departments and expressed a preference to maintain an EOC in Nevada rather than concentrating emergency assets in Ames. The board voted no formal funding action at the meeting but directed staff and RMH Architects to produce cost estimates for alternatives that reuse space in the Administration Building and return with options.
The Emergency Management Commission is scheduled to meet next Wednesday; staff said they would seek the commission’s approval to expend the $328,208 if the board directs proceeding with the proposed plan. No formal commitment to construction or bidding was made at the meeting.
