Pitkin County updates board on Health and Human Services remodel; electrification and microgrid work under way

Pitkin County staff updated the Board of County Commissioners on an ongoing remodel at the Health and Human Services (HHS) building during the March 11 work session.

Gerald Fielding, the county’s construction and asset director, said the project addresses changes in how HHS staff and community partners use space since the COVID-19 pandemic and a decline in on-site desk occupancy for some programs. The remodel will consolidate public health staff into Suite 112 and re-purpose space previously used by other programs. Staff also plan to add a staff kitchen and break room, relocate the lobby security desk for better sight lines to the front door, and reconfigure meeting rooms and touchdown spaces for community partners.

Fielding said the county intends to use a single construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) contract for the various components, and to take advantage of economies of scale by bundling furniture, wiring and electrification scope into a single contractor package.…