Council directs staff to ask architect for cost estimates to repurpose Regions Bank building for city administration

Indianola — At a study session, the City Council directed staff to ask the city's architect to produce high-level cost estimates to rehabilitate the city-owned Regions Bank building and to scope what it would take to move city administration and some services there.

Council members said the building could address several facility needs — including council chambers and administrative offices — and asked staff to quantify the cost difference if an elevator is required and what temporary buildouts would cost. The council also discussed whether police or other departments would be located there temporarily or permanently, but made no final decision on long-term occupancy.

Councilmember Christina (first name only) said after touring the building, “rip the band aid off” and urged the council to consider the building seriously because of its size and existing investments such as a new roof and boilers. Councilmember Steve (first name only) and other council members urged incremental steps: get architect estimates, then decide which departments to move and which to plan for later.

Why it matters: Council members framed the Regions building as a potential near-term solution to multiple facilities problems — council chambers, administration and some department offices — while acknowledging that longer-term solutions for fire and public works would require additional projects. Several council members emphasized that major mechanical or structural work would make the building feel permanent to residents and therefore merits careful cost analysis.

Details and next steps: Staff said they have preliminary contractor quotes for limited work (lighting and electrical) in the low tens of thousands and that JT estimated roughly $180,000 to finish office ceilings and related interior work. One council member cited an estimate of about $12.5 million as the cost to bring the building to full functionality; council members asked staff and the architect (OPN) for confirmation and a clear cost delta for adding an elevator or other permanent items.

Council direction: The group agreed to ask OPN (the city's retained architecture/engineering firm) to deliver: - A high-level estimate to adapt the Regions building for city administration (community development, IT and administrative staff) and to identify whether that scope requires an elevator and how much an elevator would change costs. - A separate estimate for limited, temporary buildouts that would allow staff or police to occupy parts of the building while longer-term projects proceed. - High-level cost ranges for street department and fire department facility needs the firm had previously scoped so council can compare options.

Councilmembers repeatedly emphasized this is a scoping and planning step only; the meeting was a study session and there was no formal vote. Jackie (staff member) was directed to contact OPN and the Iowa Economic Development/Main Street architect contacts to understand what services the state program can provide and whether it is worth using their services.

Context and constraints: Councilmembers discussed ownership timing: staff said the city will not have full control of the building until an April date referenced in staff notes and that any bidding and architectural work will take additional time. Several council members cautioned that reusing the Regions building does not by itself resolve other needs — notably the fire department's bay capacity — and that the council should plan projects as a coordinated sequence.

Quotes: Jackie, a staff member, told the council she had found an email indicating the county had already completed phase 2 environmental testing for the Sixth Street sub area and said she would obtain those records for council review. Harry Young, communications manager, asked staff and elected officials to maintain public outreach during the scoping process so residents understand possible changes.

Ending: Councilmembers said they want preliminary numbers within roughly a three-month window so they can compare a revenue-bond timetable and other financing options. Staff will return with OPN's high-level estimates and with clarification on the April control date for the Regions building before council considers committing to a bond or other financing route.