Valley County reviews renovation plan for 700 South Main 'Southern Annex'; preliminary cost estimate about $480,000

Valley County commissioners received a report Feb. 24 on plans to convert the former Amerit Title building at 700 South Main in Cascade into county office space, with consultants recommending final design and permitting in early 2025 and construction bidding to follow.

The report, presented by a consultant team and summarized by Abby, a project consultant, recommends relocating several county departments from the courthouse — initially planning and zoning, building department and the assessor’s office — to the building, which the county acquired as part of its master facility plan. "The project aims to complete the relocation in 2025 following the vacation of the building by its current occupants at the end of this month," Abby said.

County and consultant staff told commissioners the main goals are to minimize renovation costs by using existing HVAC and electrical systems where feasible, create a functional layout that accommodates current and future needs, improve ADA access where the building does not meet…