Project to save $17 million over 10 years
Albany, NY – August 15, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Office of General Services (OGS) will renovate Building 5 on the Harriman Campus in Albany to accommodate up to 1,400 state employees and save taxpayers $17 million over the first ten years of occupancy. When completed, the upgraded space will house staff of the OGS Business Services Center (BCS), a statewide enterprise created by Governor Cuomo to streamline administrative functions for state agencies.
“Over the past few years, New York State has taken on a variety of measures to streamline government and save taxpayers money,” Governor Cuomo said. “Renovating the Harriman Campus in Albany is the latest project to improve efficiency in our government, which will save taxpayers $17 million over ten years – on top of the $30 million that has already been saved by reducing lease costs and consolidating state-owned office space. We have made considerable advancements in making government more resourceful in New York, and this project on the Harriman Campus shows the progress New Yorkers can continue to expect from their state.”
“The decision to move the OGS Business Service Center to the Harriman Campus will not only save taxpayer money and create construction jobs, but will maximize proficiency and reliability of the broad range of services that OGS offers,” said Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy. “Governor Cuomo has focused on making state government more efficient and effective, and today’s announcement is another achievement in making government work better and at a lower cost for New Yorkers.”
Earlier this year, OGS issued a Request for Information to lease space for the BSC, but the lowest bid received was approximately $87 million for a ten-year lease. By choosing to renovate existing space instead of leasing, the state will save taxpayers at least $17 million over the first ten years of occupancy and more than $81 million over twenty years. Additionally, the Building 5 renovation will create 100 construction jobs and the economic ripple effect in the local economy from take home wages is estimated to be $44 million.
“Governor Cuomo continues to drive change in government operations that produce measurable results and this project is another example of tangible savings and increased efficiency,” OGS Commissioner, RoAnn Destito said. “The Business Services Center continues to grow, and by the time this project is completed will provide human resource and finance transactions for more than 60 agencies in one location under a single management structure.”
The seven-story, 237,000 square foot space was formerly occupied by the Department of Transportation, but has been vacant since 2004. Asbestos abatement at the building will begin over the next several weeks with construction to begin in late fall. The project is expected to be completed in 18 months.
The real estate optimization program that was initiated in Fiscal Year 2011-12 thus far has reduced the amount of space leased by the state by 1.1 million square feet statewide and eliminated more than 2,500 vacant seats.
Contact:
Governor’s Press Office
NYC Press Office: 212.681.4640
Albany Press Office: 518.474.8418
press.office (at) exec.ny (dot) gov
