Dodge County has begun a facilities master-planning process with Venture Architects and has invited the Juneau Housing Authority to be part of planning discussions as a potential tenant, county staff told the Building Committee.

John, the county facilities director, said interviews with department heads began last week and continued through the day, and that architecture staff will soon meet with engineering and IT staff to examine mechanical and cabling requirements. “That's been going extremely well,” he said, adding that there will be a second round of meetings as the plan develops.

Committee members discussed whether the Housing Authority could relocate into county buildings. John said the authority currently occupies an apartment office on Center Street in the Senior Housing Building and that, if it moved, “they would actually be able to rent that back out and get revenue off of that.” He said the county has offered potential spaces and asked the Housing Authority to participate in the master plan. Staff emphasized the need to preserve the Housing Authority’s autonomy and ensure private space for clients; one committee member noted privacy concerns and access for clients.

Other planning details included a potential fit near the ADRC at the Henry Dodge Building, and future site tours of highway satellite shops with Highway Department head Brian Field to include satellite facilities in the plan. No formal decision or relocation date was made; staff said the Housing Authority may choose to remain in its current location while planning continues.