The Ottawa City Council Tuesday authorized seeking bids for the remodeling of the former commercial building at 321 W. Main St. into a satellite campus for Illinois Valley Community College.

The council also placed on file for future action a formal agreement with Serena Sturm Architects of Northbrook to complete plans for the building's transformation.

Serena Strum was the firm hired last July that conducted the feasibility analysis of the project and explored grant possibilities to pay for the work.

When opened, the facility's program are expected to include GED courses and an expanded certified nursing assistant program.

"IVCC will make many valuable educational opportunities available to Ottawa students while boosting the economic vitality of downtown Ottawa with hundreds of visitors each day," said Reed Wilson, city economic development director.