Chippewa County has reached an agreement to purchase the former Minnwest Bank Building in downtown Montevideo for $262,000. This acquisition will allow the county to relocate its Family Services operations to the property. The County Board of Commissioners approved the sale following closed negotiations with the bank on December 3, 2024.

According to Michelle May, Chippewa County’s auditor/treasurer/coordinator, the purchase is expected to close by the end of the year. Minnwest Bank, which recently moved its Montevideo operations to a new location at 1404 Highway 7 E, agreed to the sale after vacating the building.

‍

The county began exploring options for relocating Family Services and its staff of about 47 employees following a 2018 study by Klein McCarthy Architects. The study suggested relocating operations from the current site, the former Montevideo Hospital building on North Seventh Street, or investing in a costly renovation that was estimated to exceed $15 million.

Since then, the county has worked with both Klein McCarthy Architects and Wold Architects and Engineers to examine its options. A recent study by Wold estimated that a “limited” remodel of the Minnwest Bank Building would cost $3.1 million, while a more extensive renovation would be priced at $7.6 million. Klein McCarthy’s October 2023 analysis offered cost estimates ranging from $3.6 million to $6.4 million for the renovation.

Both firms also considered the possibility of constructing a new facility for Family Services. The cost of building a new structure was estimated to range from nearly $8 million to more than $13.6 million, with the highest estimate accounting for a zero-emissions facility featuring geothermal heating and cooling.

The community of Maynard had also proposed the former MACCRAY West Elementary school as a potential site for Family Services, with an estimated repurposing cost of $4 million, and the state had been approached for bond funding.

The bank building provides ample space for the Family Services department, with 9,178 square feet on the first floor and 9,297 square feet on the second floor. However, it does not have enough space for Prairie Five Community Action Council, which shares the current facility with Family Services. Consequently, the number of offices in the new building will be reduced, and many employees will work in cubicles. The county will also need to replace the elevator and may make improvements to the heating, cooling, and security systems.

The County Board of Commissioners emphasized the affordability and minimal tax impact of purchasing and remodeling the bank building. The board also expressed support for reusing an existing structure in a downtown location. Board chair Candice Jaenisch mentioned that the commissioners would likely hire an architect to plan the renovation.

There is no set timeline for the renovation or for moving Family Services into the new building. The future of the former hospital building, which is still owned by the county, has not yet been determined.