Iowa City approves purchase of 1725 North Dodge as future police facility

Iowa City approved a purchase agreement May 5 to buy 1725 North Dodge Street from the Iowa City Community School District as a potential new police facility.

City Manager Jeff Ruan told the council the acquisition responds to a 2024 space-needs study that showed the police department currently occupies about 14,000 square feet but would ideally need roughly 38,000 square feet looking 20 years ahead. Ruan said the 11‑acre property includes roughly 40,000 square feet of building—about 30,000 office and 10,000 warehouse space—and that OPN Architects’ review concluded "the building is in very good shape." He said the proposed purchase price is $3,200,000, based on a 2023 appraisal the district secured at $2,900,000 and an average commercial revaluation that the city estimated would take the price to about $3,248,000.

Ruan described transaction terms and timing: the city expected to close in May or June, would lease the property back to the school district for two years at no cost to allow the district time to plan an exit, and could extend limited warehouse use on a market-rate arrangement for up to three additional years if needed. Renovation design work would follow; Ruan said the city anticipates beginning renovations in 2028 and that the police department could potentially move in around 2029.

Police Chief Dustin Liston answered council questions about operations and public safety: "The police department doesn't work like the fire department. We don't typically respond from the station. The officers are out and about," Liston said, adding that patrol officers are assigned to districts and respond from the field rather than from the station. He confirmed the planned facility would not include jail or long-term holding capacity: "It's not a jailing facility or a holding facility."

Council members voiced support, noting cost and timing benefits compared with new construction and the opportunity to relieve space pressures at the downtown City Hall campus. After discussion, the council approved the purchase by roll call vote, 6–0.

The council and staff characterized the purchase as a step in a broader campus plan: once police and fire can relocate, the city intends to renovate the downtown campus to serve as the primary City Hall hub. The city said it will proceed to design and bidding for renovations after closing and working with the school district on the leaseback schedule.