By Zach Jensen,
The three-story building which formerly served as the Decorah Hospital, now known as the Smith Building, was originally built in 1914 and was expanded four times by the 1960s. In 2023, the building earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo by Zach Jensen)
Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation has rented office space in the Smith Building — Decorah’s old hospital on the corner of Montgomery and East Broadway streets — for the last 22 years. On Sept. 3, the nonprofit organization will officially buy the 15,000-square-foot, 110-year-old historic building from Winneshiek County for just $1. And, NEICAC Chief Executive Officer Trisha Wilkins said the agency is looking forward to the purchase.
“We are excited,” Wilkins said. “The board considered the building purchase very carefully. We’re looking forward to beginning our strategy for new agency signage and working on some projects to enhance building usage and aesthetics, while continuing to honor the property’s historical significance.”
The three-story Smith Building was built in 1914 as Decorah’s medical hospital, and it was expanded in the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Today, the building boasts 15,045 square feet of space on a 2.01-acre plot of land. It was added to the National Historic Registry in 2023.
NEICAC began in 1965 and moved into the Smith Building in 2002, where it continues its core mission to this day.
“NEICAC provides the support and resources to improve the stability and quality of life for individuals and families with limited resources,” information on the organization’s website said. “We assist those living in the northeast Iowa counties of Allamakee, Bremer, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek with programs serving all stages of life, including family services, crisis programs and food pantries, Head Start, low-income energy assistance and weatherization, affordable housing, transportation and more.”
Wilkins said members of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors contacted NEICAC earlier this year to inquire as to whether the organization was interested in taking over ownership of the property.
“While we had considered alternatives, the Smith Building has met our unique needs for many years,” Wilkins said. “With 30-plus employees in this location, a food pantry, transit dispatch office — in addition to the need to park several transit buses — the large building and parking lot provide what other sites just couldn’t. Also, the price is right. We certainly recognize the maintenance needs the Smith Building will face, but taking ownership without an initial investment for the purchase helps to put us ahead.”
Wilkins said NEICAC currently occupies the lower two floors of the building, and it’s considering leasing top-floor office space to other nonprofit organizations. Winneshiek County Public Health is currently located on the building’s top floor and is planning to relocate to the county’s new community services building inside the former Spectrum Network building.
“The county has been very helpful in this transition,” Wilkins added. “The Winneshiek County Supervisors, auditor, county attorney and maintenance staff have all helped us navigate this decision and its process. The county has continuously supported our agency and often expresses their appreciation for the work NEICAC does for their communities.”
Winneshiek County Supervisors Chair Dan Langreck said Winneshiek County is glad the transaction worked out the way it did.
“The county is happy that we were able to provide this opportunity for Northeast Iowa Community Action,” he said, “because we appreciate their corporation and the services they provide the residents of northeast Iowa.”
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