City Hall Renovations

Last week several Requests for Proposals (rfp’s) were sent to architects/engineers for price quotes to thoroughly study city hall and develop a plan/specification for repair/renovation. As written and discussed during the sales tax referendum, this building requires serious roof, heating/air conditioning, structural and cosmetic repair that cannot be delayed any longer. The architectural/engineering services will not include expansion design.

The original idea was to fund these improvements, along with the Fire/Police expansion, using sales tax revenue. However, since our residents did not support the sales tax, property taxes (paid by only 70% of properties in Indianola) will finance the improvements. A cost estimate will not be available until the architect/engineer reviews the building but early projections are about $700,000 to $1,000,000.

Rfp’s are due September 30 and a recommendation will be brought to council October 6. Once an architect/engineer is hired, plans/specifications will be drafted in about 3 to 6 months. Building repairs should begin next summer.