The city of Indianola and Warren County have announced a strategic partnership that involves new uses for specific properties owned by either entity, as identified in the city’s Sixth Street Sub-Area Plan and at or nearby the Indianola Downtown Square.  

The vision outlined in preliminary planning documents discussed Monday during a joint meeting between the Indianola City Council and Warren County Board of Supervisors includes highlights such as:

• The Indianola Public Library would relocate and serve as the focal point of a planned cultural, recreational and entertainment district along the McVay Summerset Trail and North Sixth Street.
• Warren County would take ownership of the library’s current facility, located at 207 N. B St., and relocate its departments and staff there. The move would make the county’s services all centrally located at or nearby the Warren County Administration Building and Warren County Justice Center.

The planned agreement will be considered as part of a comprehensive funding package in 2025, according to a news release.

Design conceptualization and construction for the planned redevelopment of the cultural district that the Indianola Public Library would anchor are expected to commence immediately following approval. The new Indianola Public Library is anticipated to be fully constructed and available for use beginning around winter 2027 or spring 2028.

The release said the collaboration aims to address challenges, foster economic growth and strengthen community connections

“This partnership and vision for our collective future leverages the resources, expertise and networks of both the city of Indianola and Warren County to create lasting positive impacts throughout our communities and elevate the quality of life for the citizens we serve,” Indianola City Manager Benjamin Reeves said in a prepared statement. “United in purpose and bound together by our shared commitment to advance common goals, the exchanging of properties will provide the foundation we seek to meet the future operational needs of the city and county.”

Darren Heater, vice chair of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, said aligning the city’s and county’s resources will help “maximize the effectiveness, relevance and sustainability of our initiatives together.”  

The websites for the city of Indianola and Warren County will be updated with new details, documents and resources as they become available.