WATERBURY – July 1, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Gov. Peter Shumlin today marked an important milestone in the rebuilding of the Waterbury State Office Complex, joining state and local officials to witness the installation of monumental cupolas that will frame the center of the new campus. The project, now 80 percent complete, is progressing as expected, on time, and on budget.
The State Office Complex was heavily damaged when the Winooski River overflowed its banks during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. Renovation of the complex began in August 2013, and Governor Shumlin was on hand to help pour the first concrete last fall for a new 86,000-square-foot office building, 20,000-square-foot central plant and maintenance facility, and new site infrastructure. The project also includes the historic renovation of the original 13 core buildings comprising 115,000 square feet. The project is being funded with a combination of State of Vermont funds, insurance proceeds, and FEMA funds.
“This is really a great moment for Waterbury, the hard working state employees that will soon be moving into this 21st century office space, and the Vermonters they serve,” said Gov. Shumlin. “In the years since Irene, we have turned the significant challenges wrought by this historic storm into opportunity. Across the state, we have rebuilt stronger than Irene found us, and this project is a perfect example of that.”
The construction manager for the project is PC Construction of South Burlington. To date, over 1,100 workers have been employed in the construction of the State Office Complex. The current workforce includes over 300 construction workers.
Once completed, the new complex will house 830 employees of Vermont’s Agency of Human Services, which will allow for the consolidation of most central functions of the Agency, increase efficiency of operations, and reduce lease costs for taxpayers. The Complex will also house an additional 370 state employees, bringing the total to 1,200.
The new modern work environment will create a setting with access to natural light and vibrant view corridors for all staff. The new structures are designed to meet LEED Gold standards, and the project will result in a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption across the campus.
Given its location on the banks of the Winooski River and the damage wrought by Irene, reducing flood risk is a primary emphasis of the project. Nineteen flood-prone buildings are being removed, new and renovated facilities will be elevated, and all occupied areas of new and renovated construction will be above the 500-year-flood level.
