Administration presents 15-year lease for Kansas DCF office in Overland Park
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Summary
Department of Administration staff presented a proposed 15-year lease in Overland Park for the Kansas Department for Children and Families, citing space, security and parking deficiencies at the current site.
Department of Administration staff presented a proposed 15-year lease for the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) office in Overland Park and told the committee the lease addresses space, security and accessibility problems at the agency’s current location.
Paul Fernkopf, lease administrator for the Department of Administration’s Facilities and Property Management office, said DCF has occupied its prior Overland Park location since July 2011 and issued an RFP in August 2024 to find replacement space. Fernkopf said the existing facility “lacks parking for visitors and employees and is not updated to current DCF security standards,” is not on a bus route, and “lacks adequate restroom capacity.” He said the layout does not meet staff needs and that DCF requires more interview rooms, a larger lobby and a larger conference room.
The proposed lease terms presented to the committee include approximately 50,1388 square feet (as presented during the hearing) at an initial rate of $24.99 per square foot for a 15-year term, with a five‑year renewal option at the agency’s discretion. Fernkopf said the lease rate is within the market range for similar Johnson County office space. He also said the new building will include safety features such as secure interview rooms, an electronic access management system, panic buttons, a video surveillance system and office renovations to meet DCF needs.
Fernkopf told the committee that more than $1,000,000 of office furnishings will be provided by the lessor and will become DCF property on occupancy, and that the lessor will complete an energy audit after one year of occupancy. He said Department of Administration leadership supports the lease and that a DCF representative was available to take questions.
Why it matters: The lease would relocate DCF services to a site the administration says better serves client access, staff workflow and safety requirements. The committee heard the presentation but did not take a separate recorded vote specifically advancing this lease apart from the HB 2007 package votes recorded later in the meeting.
Ending: Fernkopf closed by offering to answer committee questions and noting agency staff were present to field follow-up inquiries.
