It was standing-room only as Mayor Gene Beach snipped a red ribbon within Marshalltown's new Council Chambers.
"We're very pleased with the number of people who have come here for this," he said.
Local officials and community members, along with ambassadors from the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, were on hand Tuesday to celebrate the re-grand opening of the Carnegie Building.
From City Hall's remodeled lobby to new offices throughout, citizens toured the complex which used to be Marshalltown's Public Library.
"It's great to have moved in and we thank everyone who assisted with the project," said Michelle Spohnheimer, director of Housing & Community Development. "We're excited for the public to be here and see how the former library could be utilized."
After the building was vacated in 2008, plans went into motion for centralizing local government, including relocation of the Parks and Recreation Department in April, followed by the department of Engineering, as well as Housing & Community Development. The Marshalltown City Council also began meeting in its new Council Chambers June 7.
Dick Hierstein, former city administrator who witnessed construction from beginning to end, spoke to those present, commending everyone from participating contractors to people who backed the process.
"There are so many people to thank for this project, especially the voters and citizens of Marshalltown," he said. "They approved the new library, then they were supportive of us reusing this facility in a way that would keep it for city government, and keep it for the citizens long-term - I really do appreciate that."
With the building's refurbishment currently adding up to $1,373,659, $300,000 was derived from Housing and Urban Development's Section 8 Rental Assistance Program, $700,000 came from general obligation bonds and $618,618 was awarded on behalf of I-JOBS.
Also in attendance, both Sen. Steve Sodders, D-State Center and Rep. Mark Smith, D-Marshalltown said the I-JOBS funding was part of an initiative taken in the Iowa Legislature to improve the community.
"The money has a sole purpose to keep people working and get people working, so it was an investment in this county and in this town," Sodders said. "This is an investment in our people."
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Contact Tammy R. Lawson at 641-753-6611 or tlawson@timesrepublican.com
