Mike Wolanin | The Republic
A view of the business office inside the Columbus City Utilities building in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 20, 2023. Portions of the facility were recently remodeled and updated.
Columbus City Utilities just marked the completion of a project that officials say is the first in a series of facility upgrades.
City and utilities staff held a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday morning to celebrate renovations at its 1111 McClure Road headquarters.
“This is the first renovation of this building since it was built in 1987, so I think we got our buck out of the initial investment,” said Executive Director Roger Kelso. “This will probably go another 30 years.”
The renovations included upgrading security, adding a public restroom to the lobby, improving handicap parking spaces, and upgrading furniture and carpet in the business office. There were also improvements to IT systems, said Kelso.
Jamie Brinegar, Columbus City Utilities’ manager of business and finance, noted that the security upgrades include key card access for staff areas and bulletproof glass for the teller windows in the front lobby.
“Hate to say it, but these times, we have to have these kind of safety precautions in place,” he said. “But it allows the employees easy access to communicate with customers.”
The project was designed by Strand Associates, Inc and constructed by Dunlap & Co. Both firms were involved with the original layout and construction of the building, according to utilities officials.
Construction of the improvements took place from September of 2022 to February, with drive-thru services available for the duration. Now that the work is complete, customers can enter the building for in-person service or continue to use drive-thru, phone or online services.
According to Columbus City Utilities’ 2022 Annual Report, the project cost $405,000.
Kelso said that it marks the first of a series of projects focusing on renovations for Columbus City Utilities facilities.
“One of the things that really makes Columbus kind of neat is that there’s always something going on,” Mayor Jim Lienhoop told the assembled group. “We don’t stand still.”
