La Plata County’s building, planning and human services departments may be moving from the La County Courthouse to the Tech Center this year.
The departments need to be relocated to make way for the 2016 courthouse remodel, said Joanne Spina assistant county manager. Once the construction is complete, the federal courts will move into the building.
La Plata County Commissioners may agree Tuesday to lease two buildings in the Durango Tech Center for the departments. The board could also agree to move forward with purchasing buildings at the Tech Center.
The county has money on hand to pay for the two new facilities, which could cost about $10 million total.
“For the past decade or more, the county has been saving and setting aside monies for capital facilities,” said County Manager Joe Kerby, in a statement.
Moving the county departments could ease parking congestion around the La Plata County Courthouse.
In addition, the human services employees are in need of more space.
“They have grown over the years, and the workspace hasn’t expanded,” Spina said.
This department encompasses Medicaid, foster care and adult protection, among other services.
The county would pay about $53,000 per month to lease about 27,600 square feet of space within the building at 10 Burnett Court for the human services department, for three years.
The county also may purchase the entire 40,146-square-foot building at 10 Burnett Court in 2016 for $8 million or the appraised value, whichever is higher, according to county documents.
The building and planning departments could be located at 135 Burnett Drive, Spina said.
The county could pay $11,000 per month to lease about 6,800 square feet of space at 135 Burnett Drive for three years.
In the meantime, the county might buy the building at 211 Rockpoint Drive, in the Tech Center, for about $2 million.
This building could be the permanent home for the building and planning departments, but that has yet to be determined, according to county documents.
These purchasing agreements are part of the county’s comprehensive facilities strategy, said Commissioner Gwen Lachelt, in a statement.
“We now have a reasonable, responsible and cost-effective plan,” she said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
