Imagine the Possibilities asks Des Moines County to expedite sale of vacant Douglas Street property so proceeds can fund Hope Haven services

Representatives from Imagine the Possibilities told the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 17 that the nonprofit’s merger with former provider Hope Haven has preserved services and staff but left several properties — including a vacant building known locally as the 'canvas barn' on Douglas Street and three adjoining empty lots — still owned by the county.

Cheryl Plank, chief strategic advancement officer at Imagine the Possibilities, described the merger’s history and said Imagine has continued Hope Haven’s services and strengthened financial stability and employee benefits. Ruth Ste, identified in the meeting as president of the foundation board connected to Hope Haven, and Matt Shen, acting treasurer for Imagine, also addressed the board and asked the supervisors to help move the Douglas Street property to market so Imagine can receive proceeds that had originally been intended to support Hope Haven operations.

"We were in a good financial position when we began to look," Ruth Ste said, describing why Hope Haven sought a partner. Cheryl Plank explained that some properties Imagine assumed were owned by the nonprofit remained county property, creating delays in selling the vacant facility. "We would like to see it sold and the funds donated to help us upkeep our other buildings," Plank said.

Board members acknowledged legal and procedural constraints. County staff and supervisors discussed that directly gifting county-owned property to a nonprofit can be legally complicated; instead staff and Imagine discussed selling the property and Imagine receiving the proceeds. Supervisors and Imagine representatives discussed sale methods — hiring a realtor, issuing a request for services, a sealed bid process or an auction — weighing marketing reach and maximizing value against speed. Several board members said they favored a process that would maximize value rather than a quick auction.

Supervisor Tom Broker said he would put a proposal together and schedule a work session the following week to outline the sale method and procurement steps, followed by a formal vote the week after if the board elects to proceed. The county agreed to prepare a request-for-services option to recruit a realtor or other marketing approach; Imagine representatives asked to be included in discussion and to provide input on a preferred sales method.

What’s next: The board will hold a work session within a week to review a proposed procurement approach and then consider a vote the next week. If the board authorizes a sale method, staff will prepare a request for services or other procurement action for board approval.

Details and clarifications: The property in question includes a vacant building and three adjacent vacant lots; the board and Imagine agreed to pursue options that balance market exposure and price maximization. The county did not vote on a final disposition on Feb. 17 and no timeline for closing a sale was set beyond the schedule for a work session and subsequent vote.

Sources: Comments and questions attributed to Cheryl Plank (Imagine the Possibilities), Ruth Ste (Foundation board), Matt Shen (Imagine board member/acting treasurer), and Tom Broker (board representative).