Answers to the Top Five Questions about
VINE’s Capital Campaign to Re-Purpose the Nichols Building

What is the timeline of the project?

  • To preserve the option to obtain the Nichols Building and save it from the landfill, the $1.7 million required for the essential renovations must be committed by July 31, 2012.  Work on the building envelope – roof repair and installation of new exterior walls, windows, and elevator - will begin after this initial fundraising goal has been achieved.
  • Floor build-outs will be partially funded through the sale of VINE’s headquarters building on Third Avenue and the Summit Center’s half of the building which we currently share with the Blue Earth County Historical Society.  As those properties are sold and renovation is completed, staff and programs will be moved to the Nichols Building.
  •  It is anticipated that this project will be completed in 12 -14 months after the renovation begins.

There’s so much other available space in town. Why Nichols?

  • Compared to the cost of new construction, the Nichols Building is a wonderful value. Renovating the building will be about 60% of the cost of building new. The full city block of land is included in the purchase price of one dollar.  
  • The Nichols Building offers 156 parking spaces.  It would be difficult to find this much parking at any other place in the area.
  • With the new canopied entrance, it will be possible for city buses and coach buses to safely drop off and pick up passengers.

The Nichols Building is very big and expensive to operate. How will you cover the ongoing expenses?

  • Heating and cooling costs will be significantly reduced with the new window/wall system and other green energy modifications.  New construction codes, methodologies and materials, and asbestos abatement will virtually eliminate all of the risk factors involved in “sick building syndrome.” The main cause of this in the Nichols building was the moisture related mold created from the glass curtain wall system, which will be eliminated.
  • By leasing space on the fourth and fifth floors to private tenants, a significant portion of the building’s operating costs will be met. Additional revenue will be realized from the café, gift shop, adult fitness center, and income generated from rental of multi-purpose space.

What new and expanded services will be available?

  • VINE plans to create a “one-stop-shop” for aging adults, a place to improve physical health, socialize with peers, volunteer to help others and access needed service.  Located on a city bus line, this much-needed new resource will include a state-of-the-art Adult Community Center, a café, meeting rooms, a technology center, a fitness center with a warm water therapy pool, an adult respite center, a large chore garage, and office space for VINE’s program staff and volunteers.

What will happen to the money that is contributed to the Capital Campaign if the goal is not reached?

Capital Campaign contributions will be held in a separate account until the purchase of the building and the beginning of the rehabilitation process.  If requested, contributions will be returned to the donor if the project does not move forward.