Old Econo Foods proposed as Linn County office building

The Linn County Supervisors now have a third major option as they try to decide on a permanent location for county offices.

Darryl High, a man who's been pushing the contested Zika Avenue housing development near Ellis Park in northwest Cedar Rapids, told the supervisors Wednesday they could purchase the old Econo Foods at 1800 51st St. NE -- including a renovation to suit -- for about $12 million.

The proposal gives the supervisors a third choice next to the flood-damaged Administrative Office Building and the current location of county offices, the former Steve & Barry's store at Westdale Mall. The supervisors hold out hope they can get an $8.8 million grant from I-JOBS to renovate and expand the administrative office building. Meanwhile, they've hired a consultant to conduct a $39,000 feasibility study on the wisdom of remaining at Westdale.

"As the consultant considers Linn County West and the old administrative building, we'd like to be considered," High said.

High provided conceptual drawings of what Econo Foods would look like as a government office building. The structure is 110,000 square feet, and the parking lot has 581 spaces. The property is surrounded by car dealerships, between Collins and Blairs Ferry Roads NE.

High is part-owner of the property, and said his company would renovate the building, make it LEED certified, and resurface the parking lot.

High said he has sent information about the property to both the city and school district. Supervisors Brent Oleson and Lu Barron told High he needed to make sure the city participates in any discussion about the property. The City Council and the Linn County Board of Supervisors agreed this week to see if there is any prospect of joining forces on a new government services building or buildings to replace flood-damaged ones.

"If it's got any chance of success at all, you've got to get the city and the schools involved," Oleson said.