The City of Washington is purchasing property at 123 East 2nd Street for future city use. The council approved the $85,000 agreement to buy real estate with Washington State Bank. The building had previously been Linda Lou’s Diner and Red Bear Daycare. City Administrator Brent Hinson the property is key to the City Hall, police department and fire department expansion project.

The purchase was approved with four in favor, councilman Bob Shellmyer voted against it and councilman Russ Zieglowsky was absent from the meeting.

The council is looking to renovate the former public library building to become a new city hall, which would allow the police and fire departments to share the current building that is split three ways.