Editor note: Public Hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 18.
The Manning City Council will hold a public hearing for the potential sale of the old Home Mutual building in the downtown district. The building at 721 Third St. was constructed in 1898, serving as The Bennet Bank, German Savings Bank, and Iowa State Savings Bank before being occupied by the Home Mutual Insurance Association in 1956. In 1983, the building was purchased to the west to expand the insurance business into that space, causing the original building to sit empty. City Administrator Dawn Meyer says the city acquired the property after being abandoned for several years. City officials worked with an architect on a redevelopment plan, removing asbestos and starting demolishing parts of the building. The plan was to always turn the space back into a business use that would continue contributing to the community’s vibrancy. Meyer says this opportunity is happening faster than anticipated and looks forward to discussing this matter more with the city council and the Manning community at the February meeting.
