Linn supervisors hire firm to study keeping county offices at Westdale

The Linn County supervisors on Wednesday awarded a contract to Howard R. Green Co. to conduct a feasibility study on keeping county offices at the old Steve & Barry's store at Westdale Mall.

The county will pay the Cedar Rapids architecture firm $39,750 to study the building and come up with a recommendation by Sept. 22. At least three design firms declined to bid on the project because they thought it was too rushed.

The supervisors voted 3-2 to give the project to Green, after the I-JOBS board advised the county to look into the possibility and better engage the public. The supervisors had sought  in order to get  an $8.8 million grant for the county to renovate and expand the Administrative Office Building.

Supervisors Ben Rogers and Brent Oleson voted against awarding the contract to Green, arguing that the process was rushed and the price tag is too steep.