The Linn County Board of Supervisors approved the floor plans for an expanded and remodeled Administrative Office Building (AOB) following several months of discussion with and input from County departments that will be located in the building. The plans, as approved, are subject to available funding. Linn County submitted a grant proposal to I-JOBS requesting $8.8 million for the $11.7 million project. FEMA has obligated $2.2 million for flood repairs, and $1.8 million has been designated by the County from alternate project funding from FEMA. FEMA allows use of alternate project funding from flood-damaged buildings that will not be repaired.
The floor plans mitigate the potential for future flood threats by moving offices, including the Recorder and Information Technology department, out of the basement to upper floors. Electrical and mechanical equipment will also be moved out of the basement. The basement level will mainly be used for conference and training rooms, the Board of Supervisors board room and an employee break room. Foundation walls will be sealed and underground pipes that are no longer in use will be capped.
The plans include adding a partial third floor for office space that is less than half the footprint of the building. This additional space is needed because some offices that were already on the upper floors of the building will become displaced when offices are moved out of the basement. It also allows space for the county’s civil attorneys to move from the Courthouse to the AOB with departments they work with on a regular basis.
The Treasurer’s Office, which receives about 70% of the building’s foot traffic, will be moved to the first floor to better serve the public.
The AOB will be rebuilt using green technology that will reduce the lifetime operational cost of the building and enhance its sustainability.
Approval of the floor plans allows the architect to move forward with construction plans and have them ready to go once funding is secured. If the project begins during the 2009 construction season, it should be complete by the end of 2010.
Below are links to the floor plans for the renovated Linn County Administrative Office Building.
