The Pella City Council held a public hearing Tuesday to consider a contract to renovate the former day care building at 215 Main Street.

The City of Pella owns the facility, and the annex office building project is now planned to contain the City’s Planning and Zoning Department, City Hall records, the Marion County driver’s license remote office, a conference room, and second level for future city offices. The project engineer’s estimate showed the full buildout could cost $1.65 million — however, all bidders on the project came in well below that number, including the awarded contract of $987,000 to Christner Contracting. Construction will begin by the end of April and last up to 210 working days.

Also on Tuesday’s agenda was approval of a preliminary plat for the Fox Ridge development. During policy and planning, the council discussed Jordan Well #2 and ongoing plans for renovations of the soccer complex, both at the request of Councilmember John Butler. No formal action was taken. The soccer complex could go out for bid in April or May, depending on engineer’s estimates.