Challenge

While many state agencies work out of publicly owned offices, others rent from private owners. When a private owner decided to convert his property to affordable housing, two agencies needed to swiftly move.

DES helped the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) and the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) quickly relocate into state-owned space. TIB and FMSIB are small agencies that rely on DES to support critical business needs.

Solution

DES converted a portion of the second floor of the Natural Resources Building for TIB and FMSIB.

We developed the initial office plan, then engaged SHKS Architects to complete the design and hired Construct, Inc. to carry out the work.

State agencies’ vital work shouldn’t be interrupted, and these agencies needed to move quickly. With a limited budget and a tight, two-month construction schedule, we worked with existing tenants to accommodate the newcomers, installed equipment to secure the space, and welcomed our new tenants to their offices last fall.

Outcome

The new space also helps the state stretch scarce public dollars.

When agencies reach the end of their leases, they update their physical spaces to suit modern-day work styles. As part of the move, these agencies’ new shared space is 11% smaller than their old space. The rent they pay is 22% lower.

“Team DES met with us early to ensure small details would not stall the project,” said Ashley Probart, executive director of TIB, just weeks after move-in. “Once construction began, weekly meetings were efficient and productive. Thanks to Team DES’ preparation, almost all weekly decisions or changes were made in 15 minutes, and we could go back to work.

“We just used the new conference room for our project selection process. The conference room is fantastic and helped to streamline our process.”