QUINCY - Quincy is spending $120,000 to buy a house and land next to city hall with hopes to build a new police station.

The city council approved the purchase of the home, located at 113 C Street SW, during a recent meeting.

The city expects to take ownership of the property by May 31.

The city originally planned to move the administration offices to the former library building and expand the existing police station, City Administrator Tim Snead said in an interview. The plan changed after an architect determined it would be as cost effective to build a new police station.

City officials plan to pursue grants to build a new police station, Snead said; adding money for the new station isn't included in the 2012 budget.

"We're going to continue to look for grant funding. The police are going to move into the old library after the library moves out," he said. "There is some money in the budget for some remodeling (of the old library.)"

The city budgeted about $10,000 to remodel the building, Snead said. It is expected to house police administration.

Councilmember Scott Lybbert said the purchase made sense even if the city didn't use it for a new police station.

"It's just contiguous property that was available," he said.