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Pitkin County outlines Health and Human Services building renovations, electrification and space reorganization
Summary
County staff described planned renovations at the Health & Human Services (HHS) building, including space reorganization to consolidate services, interior upgrades, and an electrification project with an RFP and potential tariff-driven cost risk. Commissioners were briefed on funding to date and next steps.
Pitkin County construction and asset staff updated commissioners on planned renovations and operational reorganization at the county’s Health and Human Services (HHS) building during the March 11 work session.
Jiar Fielding, construction and asset director, said changes are driven by post-COVID service delivery shifts and by offices vacated in the building. Staff plan to consolidate public health services on the first floor (Suite 112), create new staff break/kitchen space, improve conference-room flexibility and add touchdown space for community partners. Fielding said security and reception changes are planned to improve flow and visibility at the main entrance.
Electrification and larger infrastructure scope: staff said they plan to bundle interior remodels with an electrification project for the building. Fielding said the county intends to use a construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) approach to coordinate multiple trades and procure equipment as soon as possible. Facilities staff reported they have spent roughly $100,000 so far on wiring and scans; the board previously set aside $450,000 in the fall budget for the project. Fielding said that roughly $200,000 of the $450,000 has already been used or committed for preliminary work and that the larger electrification scope could face cost pressure from tariffs and supply lead times. He said the county would have clearer pricing in April once a contractor is selected and could order long-lead equipment earlier in the procurement process.
Space reorganization: staff described moving economic assistance and some community partners into consolidated suites on the second floor to create more active, customer-facing space. Public health touchdown space in Basalt would remain available for occasional use while primary public-health operations move to the HHS building. The county is running an RFP for homeless-services consulting (SHG consultants were cited as conducting an assessment due in June 2025), and Fielding said programming for certain first-floor spaces will await that assessment before final decisions are made.
Budget and schedule: Fielding said approximately $100,000 of the $450,000 set aside has been spent on scans and wiring; remaining funds can cover office moves and some renovations but the homeless-services programming or larger HVAC/replacement work may require a supplemental budget depending on consultant recommendations. Staff said they hope to start electrification and related renovations this summer, subject to contractor selection and equipment lead times.
Why it matters: renovations are intended to improve client access, consolidate services, and upgrade building systems. Commissioners asked about service continuity during construction, ADA/accessibility checks and potential sanitary/sewer-line issues. Fielding said facilities will phase work with the CMGC to minimize service interruptions and that the county has scheduled infrastructure investigations (sewer CCTV) where needed.
Board direction: commissioners did not take a formal vote but requested further budget detail and an update in April after contractor selection and additional design work.
