HQ for iQ Nears Completion

Work on the future iQ Credit Union headquarters in downtown Vancouver is moving along at a steady clip. (Julia Anderson/The Columbian)

Renovation of a downtown Vancouver landmark, the city’s former Citizens Service Center, is moving along at a steady pace, said Danette LaChapelle, chief communications officer at iQ Credit Union.

“The electricity has been shut off, so the sign is not turning while they get electrical done,” La Chapelle said.

That large white sign was installed on the future headquarters site soon after the credit union purchased the building, at 1313 Main St., in August 2007. It replaces the rotating green “Vancouver U.S.A.” sign that stood out over downtown.

That was just the beginning of a transformation that will continue through move-in, scheduled for May.

“Right now, windows are being framed starting at the fourth floor and working down,” LaChapelle said.

The ground floor, which was previously a parking garage, is being converted to a branch.

The credit union estimates acquisition and construction costs at $10.5 million.

Business services and business lending operations, now based at the Westfield Vancouver mall, will move to Main Street, as will some administrative staff now based in Hazel Dell, she said. Both of those locations will remain open.

All staff and operations at the 601 E. 16th iQ credit union office will transfer to the new location, LaChapelle said.

It’s not yet clear how many people will work at 1313 Main St., she said.

The credit union employs 197 people at nine regular locations and six high school campus branches. It serves about 41,300 members and has assets of about $392.2 million.