NIACC seeking bids soon for Charles City high school career academy

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

NIACC is taking the next step toward the construction of its new Career Academy building in Charles City.

Plans to build a multi-school high school career center are marching along as the college is seeking bids to construct an expansion at its existing downtown building.

“We’re kind of in the pre-bid mode right now,” said NIACC President Steve Schulz. NIACC will be setting a public hearing at its next board meeting to review bids for the project.

“We plan to accept those bids in February and start construction as soon as the weather allows it,” he said.

The long proposed career center has faced some hurdles in its development as the college struggled to find a viable location. Originally intended to be built at the Floyd County Fairgrounds, escalating cost estimates caused the community college to opt for the addition to an existing building rather than new construction.

Last fall, NIACC approached the Charles City Council and was ultimately able to purchase a portion of city parking lot property adjacent to the existing NIACC Center near Hy-Vee for $1.

Schulz said he expects a 12-14 month schedule for the expansion to be built, giving the college plenty of time to make sure everything is ready for its opening for the fall 2024 semester.

The career academy will be used to offer a range of career classes and technical education courses to high school students in the surrounding area, allowing them to earn concurrent college credit alongside their high school class requirements.

The regional education center will consist of four academies where students will earn both high school and college credit in a “work-based learning” approach on four topics identified as in demand regionally – advanced manufacturing, construction trades, information technology and health careers.

The Charles City School District is working with NIACC, along with Riceville, Osage, Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock, Nashua-Plainfield, Clarksville and North Butler school districts. Each school district has made a 10-year commitment to the academy.

“I’m very excited that this project is moving along,” said Charles City School Superintendent Dr. Anne Lundquist. “Charles City Schools is very happy that the center will be in Charles City and we’re looking forward to the partnership.”

Schulz said, “We continue to get support from the community and we really appreciate everything the city, the county and the citizens have done to support this project. It’s going to be a great day when we break ground this spring.”