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Pitkin County updates board on Health and Human Services remodel; electrification and microgrid work under way
Summary
County staff reported on office consolidation, wiring upgrades and an electrification project at the Health and Human Services building and briefed the board on programmatic space changes tied to an ongoing homelessness-services assessment.
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. Staff reported they have already completed a building scan and spent roughly $100,000 on data/technical work and wiring upgrades; those costs are part of a larger $450,000 appropriation the board approved in the prior budget process for HHS renovations.
A substantive piece of the update concerned electrification. Staff said the county has an RFP on the street to select a contractor for converting building heating systems to electric heat pumps and related electrical-panel upgrades. Fielding and staff warned the board that tariffs and supply-chain timing affect equipment lead times and that the electrification portion could increase overall cost; staff expect clearer cost information once a CMGC is onboard and recommended ordering long‑lead equipment as early as practical. Staff said they will have a more detailed budget and schedule once a contractor is selected, with an April update expected.
Programming for homeless services and detox at HHS was discussed. Staff said a county-contracted homelessness assessment (completion anticipated June 2025) is informing final programming decisions for parts of the First Floor. The county has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a food pantry operator for Suite 206; staff said current occupant LiftUp had been using the space only a few hours a day and that the county is asking for proposals that deliver more consistent hours and broader community coverage.
Accessibility and infrastructure issues were raised by commissioners. Staff said they have not yet performed a detailed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) audit as part of this remodel but noted the building has an elevator and ramps; they agreed to follow up on accessibility questions. Facilities staff are also assessing reported sanitation and sewer issues tied to the building’s infrastructure; staff said the scale and cost of possible repairs is still unknown and may require supplemental appropriation depending on findings. Staff emphasized they plan to phase work to minimize service disruptions and that touchdown spaces and off-site desks (for example, in Basalt) will help maintain public access to services during construction.
Budget status: presenters said the board previously allocated $450,000 to the HHS renovation. Staff have spent some of those funds on architectural drawings, scanning/as‑built documentation and wiring upgrades and estimated current spending at just under $200,000 against the $450,000 appropriation. Staff said the county will continue to use the CMGC model to control costs where possible and will return with updated cost estimates and sequencing once they have a contractor on board.
Commissioners asked staff to return with a clearer schedule showing how renovations and electrification will be phased, and with details on how service continuity for vulnerable clients will be maintained during construction. Staff said they will coordinate phasing plans with the construction manager and bring further updates to the board.
