by Mary Loden
Scott Smead, of Bergland + Cram, reviewed the proposed plans for the City Hall “Administrative-side” Security Upgrade and Remodeling Project with members of the Clear Lake City Council at their Aug. 7 meeting. The City Council allocated $1 million in the Fiscal Year 2024 municipal budget to undertake a significant security upgrade and remodeling project for the administrative side of the City Hall building.
Bergland + Cram Architects in Mason City has been working with City Hall staff on the proposed design for the new administrative offices for many months now. Smead presented the selected design, along with a cost estimate and time schedule. He said they anticipate that the project would be bid in September, with construction activities being able to begin in October and being completed by June 15, 2024.
The proposed renovations include all new construction, including mechanical and electrical, for the front lobby, administrative offices, kitchenette, vault/IT room, conference area, and exterior facade remodeling with egress steps and walk. Smead said the current project scope would cost between $913,000 – $981,000. This would affect the administrative side of the building only.
Smead explained to Council members that it is the opinion of the architect that relocating office operations off-site would be preferable to the bidding process rather than having to stage the City Hall construction.
During construction the City Hall administrative offices would be relocated to the former TQ technologies space at Pritchard’s Innovation Center. Clear Lake City Administrator Scott Flory has already walked through and approved the temporary office space. He also agrees with office staff that relocating would be in the best interest – safety and convenience wise – for the public and employees.
The City Hall Chambers will remain unaffected by this proposed construction project except for some simple technology upgrades, updating the woodwork, and refreshing the wall paint. The current scope for this project is between $184,000 – $250,000. City Council meetings, the municipal election, and large City staff meetings will still be held in this location.
In Other Business
In other new business, Lorena Malecha, from the North Iowa Children’s Museum, a 301C non-profit organization, presented a proposal to City Council members of building a children’s museum in downtown Clear Lake.
Malecha said the North Iowa Children’s Museum has been featuring hands-on exhibits for children during the Thursdays on Main and at Bash at the Lake. She said they have already been working with Bergland + Cram on a preliminary layout for the two-story museum.
While answering questions for Mayor Nelson Crabb, Malecha confirmed this would be a $5 million project which includes $3 million in endowments and $2 million for exhibits. She said the Children’s Museum already has $100,000 in hand and another $600,000 in commitments. Ultimately, they would like to see the City take on the building of the structure, with the Museum operating it.
by Mary Loden
Scott Smead, of Bergland + Cram, reviewed the proposed plans for the City Hall “Administrative-side” Security Upgrade and Remodeling Project with members of the Clear Lake City Council at their Aug. 7 meeting. The City Council allocated $1 million in the Fiscal Year 2024 municipal budget to undertake a significant security upgrade and remodeling project for the administrative side of the City Hall building.
Bergland + Cram Architects in Mason City has been working with City Hall staff on the proposed design for the new administrative offices for many months now. Smead presented the selected design, along with a cost estimate and time schedule. He said they anticipate that the project would be bid in September, with construction activities being able to begin in October and being completed by June 15, 2024.
The proposed renovations include all new construction, including mechanical and electrical, for the front lobby, administrative offices, kitchenette, vault/IT room, conference area, and exterior facade remodeling with egress steps and walk. Smead said the current project scope would cost between $913,000 – $981,000. This would affect the administrative side of the building only.
Smead explained to Council members that it is the opinion of the architect that relocating office operations off-site would be preferable to the bidding process rather than having to stage the City Hall construction.
During construction the City Hall administrative offices would be relocated to the former TQ technologies space at Pritchard’s Innovation Center. Clear Lake City Administrator Scott Flory has already walked through and approved the temporary office space. He also agrees with office staff that relocating would be in the best interest – safety and convenience wise – for the public and employees.
The City Hall Chambers will remain unaffected by this proposed construction project except for some simple technology upgrades, updating the woodwork, and refreshing the wall paint. The current scope for this project is between $184,000 – $250,000. City Council meetings, the municipal election, and large City staff meetings will still be held in this location.
In Other Business
In other new business, Lorena Malecha, from the North Iowa Children’s Museum, a 301C non-profit organization, presented a proposal to City Council members of building a children’s museum in downtown Clear Lake.
Malecha said the North Iowa Children’s Museum has been featuring hands-on
