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Council transition to new building is complete

Council expects significant savings from new energy-efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems

The Metropolitan Council’s central office has moved a few blocks up the road.

Located at 390 N. Robert St., the new office fully occupies a five-story building that most recently housed the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Built in 1967, the building was deemed “surplus property” by the state when DEED moved to a new location in 2004, and the Council picked it up for the tidy sum of $1 last year.

“The building is in a good location for the Council and its compact size more closely meets our needs,” Council Chair Peter Bell said. “It will also save the public a significant amount of money in coming years.”

When compared to the projected cost of staying in the old building, the Council will save $14 million (in 2006 dollars) over the 35-year life of the building.

The new building, smaller than the Council’s most recent home at Mears Park Centre, is located on bus lines at the corner of Sixth and Robert Streets. Significant renovations began last August when the new building was stripped down to its concrete and steel infrastructure, then rebuilt to current building codes. Among the renovations were new energy-efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems.

Council weighed benefits of lease vs. ownership

The Council has been leasing office space since it was created in 1967. Its recent office on Mears Park was under lease since 1988. That building will likely be renovated for offices or downtown housing. Several developers have toured the facility, but no plans have been announced.

Council officials began considering the Council’s future home in May 2000 when its five-year lease came up for renewal. Built around 1900, Mears Park Centre was larger than the Council needed and in need of renovations.

In researching its options, Council staff evaluated space at several new sites, looking at the location, age and condition of the buildings, as well as the merits of various lease arrangements, lease-to-buy options and full ownership.

“The driving factor in our final decision to move was cost savings,” said Beth Widstrom-Anderson, the Council’s chief financial officer, “ and we did everything we could to hold the line on costs.” Such measures included reusing the Council’s old office furniture, installing carpeting made from recycled materials, and partnering with the state to house the Council’s computer network infrastructure. Operations and maintenance expenses should also be lower.