The Columbia County Board voted to authorize the chairman to award and execute a construction contract for renovations at 11 Warren Street, a project to create office space for several county departments. The measure passed after a presentation from county staff outlining design and procurement plans.

County public‑works staff told the board they plan to issue a request for proposals (RFP) this month for architectural services that will include charrettes and public meetings. “Anticipated construction as far as the renovations of the interior start in the September time frame,” a staff member said, adding that the RFP will ask firms for three conceptual plans and include landscaping as part of the scope.

Why it matters: the project will relocate multiple county departments into a single facility, reshape a visible downtown façade and reintroduce public programming for the building. Staff said the county wants a professional exterior that better represents Columbia County and that prior public feedback indicated dissatisfaction with the current façade.

Details and timeline

- Scope and public input: The RFP will request conceptual options so residents and supervisors can critique designs rather than start from a blank page. Staff said they will schedule public review meetings and reach out to Hudson supervisors and the public once conceptual drawings are available.

- Schedule: Staff anticipated receiving architectural bids in September, seeking approval in October and completing design work through winter, with construction anticipated in spring and summer, assuming contract approvals proceed on schedule.

- Design elements: The RFP will include façade redesign and landscaping; staff confirmed landscape work would be part of the architectural scope and that public input is expected before final design selection.

Board action

The board moved and seconded the resolution authorizing the chairman to execute a construction contract for the building renovations tied to the 11 Warren Street relocation; the motion carried. Staff said they will coordinate public meetings and outreach to Hudson supervisors after conceptual plans are compiled.

Ending

Supervisors asked for advance notice of public meetings to allow local officials to reach out to constituents. Staff said they will follow the RFP schedule and return with recommended firms and conceptual plans for review.