City of Fairfield purchases building for municipal use

The City of Fairfield has purchased a building that will soon be its future home.

On Friday, July 22, the city closed its transaction with Cable Partners, LLC for the purchase of the building at 527 E. Commerce Street for $1.475 million. The building is currently occupied by Wells Fargo bank.

“Three years ago, our city police and city hall staff had to leave the only home they ever knew. Today, we finally have a permanent home,” Mayor Kenneth Hughes said.

The bank will close its branch operations by September 21, and its lease ends on October 31. Once vacant, the city will reconfigure the building to house the Police Department, Municipal Court, Utility Billing, City Administration, and City Council chambers. In July, the city received $1.735 million in a tax anticipation note for the project. The remainder of these funds will be used for reconfiguration.

“There will be some minor construction, but the building is a great fit for our needs,” City Administrator Nate Smith said. “Our goal is to start moving into the new building in January 2023.”

Wells Fargo will continue to serve customers with its ATM after the branch closes. The bank recently signed a three-year lease with Cable Partners for the ATM site. As part of the purchase, the lease will be assigned to the city.

“I would like to thank our staff for their hard work in making this project a reality,” Hughes said. “I would also like to thank Day and Chad Cable for their assistance in the sale.”