House Corrections & Institutions members call Waterbury Complex "underutilized" after May 7 field trip

Members of the Vermont House Corrections & Institutions Committee said Tuesday that a May 6 field trip to the Waterbury Complex highlighted substantial underuse of state office space and prompted calls for detailed occupancy and lease data before the Legislature takes further action.

The committee met May 7 to discuss impressions from the visit. "This facility is substantially underutilized," said Joe, a member of the House Corrections & Institutions Committee, summing up the group’s initial observation. "It was, like, 1 empty desk after another," said Sean, a committee member, adding that "it's a stunning building that has been restored to its greatness."

Why it matters: Committee members said unused state office space increases costs because agencies continue to lease private space and maintain historic properties, and they argued better data on actual in‑office staffing and leases is needed to weigh consolidation or repurposing options. Several members linked the discussion to H 50, a bill the committee considered earlier this session about reviewing underused state space.

During the…