Office of Administration outlines push to consolidate state real estate, sell vacant sites and study desk usage

Missouri’s Office of Administration told the House Budget Committee on March 12 that it is pursuing a multi‑year strategy to consolidate state office space, sell or convey underutilized properties and get better data on how state office desks are used.

What OA presented Commissioner Ken Zellers and OA budget manager Hannah Swan introduced the Division of Facilities Management, Design & Construction (FMDC) overview and said the office is trying to maximize state‑owned assets and limit costly leased builds. Brian Yance, FMDC director, testified that the division treats space utilization below approximately 25 percent (meaning 75 percent of seats are empty) as underutilized and puts such properties on a conveyance/sale list for further action.

Key takeaways - No vacant state office buildings: OA said it currently has no vacant state office buildings occupied previously by state staff and left empty; it does, however, maintain former institutions (e.g., DESE and DYS facilities) that require conveyance legislation before sale.

- Conveyance and sales: OA reported accelerated conveyance activity compared with earlier years: three years of conveyances passed…