PROGRESS: $13M Goodwill of the Great Plains expansion to open in early spring

The multi-million-dollar investment on Sioux City's west side is Goodwill's first newly constructed building in the Sioux City area in 50 years.

In late June, the nonprofit broke ground on the 24,000-square-foot building located across the street from its campus at 3100 West Fourth St. The modern facility will allow Goodwill of the Great Plains to serve more people in its adult day habilitation program, which has been in operation for more than 20 years.

"There's been a substantial need in the community for those services," CEO Briget Solomon said. "We have two types of services over there -- one is day services for adults and the other is some day habilitation. They're similar populations, but the day habilitation is a very active group. They're out in the community throughout the day and they'll also utilize the space if they're not out."

The Integrated Day Services program opened to clients on March 10. 

Solomon described the layout of the building as "very planned and thoughtful." W.A. Klinger is the project's contractor, while CMBA Architects is providing architectural services.

A reception area will greet people when they walk in. The job center will be located to the right. A full-size gym, arts and culture room, gated outdoor garden with patio, and main street are among the facility's many offerings.

"The main feature of this facility is what we're calling our 'main street.' It will allow for specialty spaces. The main street has got giant windows on both ends. There will be kind of a lounge area with lots of seating. We'll have TVs in there so those in our program can watch the news at noon."

Solomon said the game lounge features a "really unique facade" and the kitchen area a concession window.

"Each entrance into those spaces will have a unique look, almost as if you're walking through a city street or a shopping area that you would maybe experience out in the community," she said. "We wanted to be able to give some really unique spaces to those that are in those programs during the day, so they're not feeling like they're just in one room that doesn't have a lot of excitement an interest to it."

Goodwill of the Great Plains has never had a sensory room before, but the new building will contain one. Solomon said it will help calm program participants, some of whom have a mental health diagnosis.

"We're excited to have that area," she said. "It will have very adjustable lighting. The flooring is soft. There will be specialty furniture in there. One really neat piece that we have is what is called a hug chair. It's kind of U-shaped. A person can sit in it and it sort of hugs them, so they're feeling safe and secure."

The building will be the first Net Zero-Energy facility in Sioux City and one of only a handful in the state of Iowa, according to Solomon. It will have a geothermal heating system and solar power electrical components.

"There's no combustion. There's no gas. Everything's electric, but run off of solar power and then, geothermal for the HVAC system," Solomon explained. "It's very unique and not something that has been done hardly in this area or even really in the Midwest, so it's a notable feature of the facility."

Solomon said she is excited about the project and "really grateful" for the community's support over the years.

"We're excited to book tours and really invite the community in. It's really going to be a public space," she said.

A public ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for May 20.