Pennington County directs staff to explore sale of downtown bank building, begins CAB remodel planning

Pennington County commissioners on July 15 authorized staff to explore selling the county’s 14 Saint Joseph Street property and adjacent lots, evaluate the possible sale of buildings used by Buildings & Grounds, and to begin a phased remodel assessment of the County Administration Building, commonly called CAB.

The actions came after a 45‑minute presentation by Davis Purcell, the county’s director of buildings and grounds, who reviewed revised staffing and space projections, past consultant recommendations and costs tied to the Concourse administration building. Purcell told commissioners the county needs to “maximize the use of existing facilities” as the Concourse building opens in the fall and as departments shift.

Why it matters: county staff said consolidating operations and reusing vacated space could reduce long‑term costs and avoid future overcrowding, while commissioners said the county must weigh past purchases and current budget constraints before committing to large capital work.

Purcell said the county purchased the First Interstate Bank building at 14 Saint Joseph Street in 2023 for $4,443,000 and two adjacent lots for $557,000, bringing the total purchase to $5,000,000. He presented an illustrative remodel estimate for that building and for CAB-style changes ranging into the millions and noted the Concourse purchase has required additional investment: he estimated about $9–10 million in FF&E and related build‑out spending and an anticipated $2 million for roofs and parking within two years.

The presentation included staffing and space data drawn from a prior BKB (BKV/BKB) study and updated local projections. Purcell said the BKB model overestimated population and staffing growth; the county currently lists about 841 county employees, and he said BKB’s most expansive projection — which included Rapid City Police Department (RCPD) and courts — reached roughly 1,340 positions by 2040. Purcell and several commissioners flagged an internal metric showing Pennington County at roughly 7.2 full‑time equivalents per 1,000 residents versus other counties nearer 3–5 FTEs per 1,000, a gap several commissioners called an “anomaly.”

Commission discussion reiterated two competing priorities: the need to plan for long‑term growth, especially law enforcement and court needs, and the need to constrain near‑term spending because of limits on county revenues. Some commissioners pressed for clearer documentation of prior decisions around Concourse and the bank purchase; others defended past actions and noted the bank purchase preserved campus continuity and created future options.

Formal actions recorded in the meeting minutes included three motions passed by unanimous voice vote: first, a motion directing staff to begin exploring a plan for the potential sale of the county‑owned building at 14 Saint Joseph Street; second, a motion directing staff to evaluate operational needs and explore sale of county‑owned properties at 516 Fourth Street and 517 Third Street (Buildings & Grounds shop) and other adjacent lots; and third, a motion to move forward with the buildings and grounds assessment as presented and to authorize staff to begin exploring a phased remodel of CAB.

Discussion vs. decision: commissioners approved only planning steps and studies — they did not approve any final sale, disposition, or major capital appropriation. Purcell made clear the remodel cost estimates are preliminary and that any major project would return to the board for funding decisions. Several commissioners requested additional financial breakdowns for leased space, shared facilities, and any revenue the county receives from leased county property.

Next steps and context: staff will return with more detailed cost estimates, leasing and occupancy breakdowns and recommended next steps for any property sale. Purcell said he will continue departmental coordination (including further meetings with RCPD and courts) to refine space needs before final design or sales decisions.

Ending: The board’s motions begin a months‑long review rather than a final disposition; any actual sale or large remodeling appropriation will require further staff analysis and a future board vote.