This currently is a lounge for customers of #1 Cochran Chevrolet Columbiana. It is unknown what Columbiana city officials may end up converting this space to when they occupy the space. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

COLUMBIANA — City officials are beginning to get excited about the possibilities at 21 E. Railroad St., which could be the location of municipal operations in a few years.

Council voted earlier this month to finance the building and some surrounding property through the sale of $2.5 million in bonds.

The City of Columbiana has slowly outgrown the 28 W. Friend St. location, where parking is now often at a premium on a Tuesday council night, as they share the parking lot with city employees and all the police cruisers.

Before the city notified the Cochran Auto Group of the possible intent to purchase the property, Cochran had listed the 11,688-square-foot building and surrounding property for a half million dollars on Zillow.

As part of their purchase, the city also is securing the Heritage House building across the street, which used to house some of the dealership’s administrative operations, as well as a red building across the tracks that used to house the dealership’s paint shop.

According to city manager Lance Willard, next the city has to bring in Howells and Baird for engineering services so they can reconfigure the main dealership building into the city’s future city hall, including administrative offices, the police department and council chambers.

Willard explained that they desire to convert the current vehicle maintenance area into a sally port for the police cruisers, removing all but one of the racks.

Currently the dealership also has a car wash built in the back, which interests Willard greatly as well.

Inside the building is a number of non-weightbearing walls that could be removed to make larger gathering places like a council chambers.

A private council meeting room also is expected to be in the works now that they have the space for executive sessions.

Willard said that plan is to reuse as much of the municipality’s existing furniture, like the council desk and chairs, as possible at the new location.

The building just had a new roof installed around three years ago on the dealership building.

Also in support of Columbiana’s status as an AMP community, this building site has two electric vehicle chargers by the building.

The city had installed two of their own by AAA four years ago, Willard added.

With Cochran’s option to lease the space in six month intervals, Willard said that he expects city operations will be able to move in two years after they vacate.

The city manager revealed no future plans for the West Friend building, which would be vacant at that time. However, it is likely the city would be looking to sell the building.

The property’s sellers, #1 Cochran, did not respond to requests for additional information for this article when reached.