SPIRIT LAKE - Spirit Lake City Hall has moved - and city council meetings can even be held there.

City employees recently made the move to the former pawn shop building at 6042 Maine St. across from the post office and a block east of the former location.

The council, which previously met at the city's community center for meetings, held its first meeting inside the new City Hall on Tuesday.

"It's a serious upgrade for the city and the whole community," Mayor Todd Clary said. "We can now have our council meetings at City Hall and have all the information available, whereas it hasn't been that way in the past."

The new location is about three times as big as the former City Hall, which the police department is expanding into.

The city purchased the former pawn shop for $150,000.

"The city bought it for almost half it was originally listed for," Clary said. "It had been for sale a couple years and we talked about it. When the price came down, it made good sense."

The building's wiring was updated before city employees moved in. The old City Hall is also being remodeled before police staff move in. The existing police department will be used to store evidence and equipment.

Clary said the location of the new City Hall is optimal.

"Being directly across from the post office will make it more convenient for citizens," he said.

Clary said there's a shortage of meeting space for nonprofits in Spirit Lake.

"Maybe this will free up the use of the community center for other organizations," he said.