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County weighs donated Wells Fargo building as possible downtown county office and community space
Summary
CEO Everett told commissioners a local property owner has offered the county the downtown Wells Fargo building as a donation (estimated value near $2 million); staff identified potential uses and flagged ADA, fire-code and renovation costs and a minimum three-year retention requirement.
The county is weighing whether to accept a donated downtown office building after CEO Everett told the commission a local owner, Rex Leipheimer, offered the Wells Fargo building to the county at no cost.
Everett said staff and department heads toured the property and see potential uses, including moving financial services such as the treasurer’s office, consolidating customer-facing services, and creating a community hub with conference and training rooms that would better serve older residents and visitors with mobility needs. “He offered it to the county as a donation,” Everett said, adding the building’s valuation is “real close to $2,000,000.”
Staff members cautioned commissioners that acceptance would require additional analysis. Concerns include ADA upgrades such as installing an elevator, fire-code review by the state fire marshal, roofing and boiler system condition, and substantial renovation costs. Everett said the county would be required to retain the building for a minimum of three years if it were accepted and noted the county’s ongoing courthouse maintenance needs (he said the county is putting about $1,000,000 into courthouse maintenance this year). He estimated the immediate county tax revenue loss at about $6,000 for the current year if the county takes ownership.
Department staff said the building’s basement could provide confidential space for public-health needs and training rooms for county programs, and that the teller-style layout could suit some customer-service functions. Commissioners asked for a site tour; Everett offered to lead commissioners through the building so they can assess the space and the unknown renovation costs before any formal decision.
No formal acceptance, purchase, or financing plan was approved at the meeting; commissioners instructed staff to study the building and bring back more detailed analysis.
