A $100,000 state grant to help pay for work at the Boston Center in downtown Fort Dodge was accepted by the City Council Monday, but the move received prompt criticism from some members of the public.

“There is a fear that the Boston Center will be vacant if we don’t do something to jump start their investment,” Councilman Dave Flattery said. “We are looking at ways to keep that building occupied.”

The $100,000 local match for the grant, which among other things, would help to pay for replacing the building’s balky elevators, was a sticking point for a couple residents.

“My concern is that the taxpayers shouldn’t be in the elevator business,” Dr. Ed Touney told the council. “I don’t think the taxpayers should be involved.”

The six-story Boston Center was built in 1914, and once housed the Boston Store. Today, Olde Boston’s Restaurant and Pub occupies the first floor, with offices on the upper floors. It is a condominium, with a different owner for each floor.

It has been plagued by elevator problems for awhile. A sign in the lobby asks clients of a law firm in the building to call the office and someone will come downstairs to meet them so they can avoid using the elevators.

Last spring, the city applied to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for a Community Catalyst and Remediation Grant for the building. The grant would be used to help pay for a new elevator plus electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements.

The total cost is estimated at $650,000.

The work is to be done by July 2, 2027, according to the terms of the grant.

On Monday, the City Council voted to approve a contract with the Iowa Economic Development Authority to receive the grant. Councilman Quennel McCaleb was absent from the otherwise unanimous vote to approve the contract.

Richard Higgins, of 15th Avenue North, asked if the city staff applied for the grant.

City Manager David Fierke replied that the application was in fact done “in-house.” He added that the city government successfully applied for a similar grant for the Laramar Ballroom and will apply for other grants for additional buildings.

“We will do them when the opportunity comes up,” he said.

In response to a question from Touney, Flattery said there is a required $100,000 local match for the grant.

“I think it is very prudent for us as a council to look to the future and use what dollars we can to save a building,” he said.