Colorado DOC press release:
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS CHOOSES SITE FOR NEW CENTRAL OFFICE
(Colorado Springs, CO) - Ari Zavaras, executive director of the Department of Corrections (DOC), is pleased to announce the selection of a site for the Department’s new Central Office. The site is in Southern Colorado Springs, and is approximately one mile south of the current central office on Janitell Road. The proposed offer, from Mortenson Development, Inc., has been determined to be the most advantageous to the overall needs of the Department, and the State of Colorado.
“Colorado’s correctional system has been part of the economic foundation of Southern Colorado for a hundred and forty years, and I am pleased the tradition will continue,” Ari Zavaras said. “With the use of sound environmental strategies and renewable energy resources, we will be building on the bedrock of Colorado’s past with the green technology that is our future.”
The DOC received a wealth of attractive offers, including 15 viable proposals, resulting in a very competitive process. The new development is the most cost effective choice for the taxpayers of Colorado. “I have a responsibility to make the most fiscally sound decision for not only the Department, but for all the citizens of Colorado. Our team evaluated multiple factors including the proposed facility and collateral operational costs. I believe we made a great choice for Colorado,” said Ari Zavaras of his decision.
The location will sustain efficiency in operations as Southern Colorado Springs is the geographic center of the Department’s operational system. The location is in reasonable proximity to the majority of prison and parole facilities located along the Front Range and in Southern Colorado. The office will be positioned for minimal travel time to the State Capitol and other government offices located in the Denver Metro area, where central office professionals frequently attend meetings vital to the business of the state.
The winning offer by Mortenson Development, Inc., Vineyard Commerce Park, is environmentally sensitive and sustainable, and is based on conservation and renewable resource strategies, consistent with the Governor’s Office of Energy’s initiatives. Through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the central office will be “Gold Certified”. The plan includes sustainable energy resources, the use of recycled building materials, water conservation program, permeable pavement, as well as other “green” strategies. The LEED Green Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.
The Vineyard Commerce Park development will also promote the well being of the staff. Included will be conference facilities, room to hold trainings, and a Correctional Industries showroom. The selected site is located adjacent to a 43 acre open space connected to 85 miles of county-wide trails.
The building is being built to suit the needs of the Department. The building will be approximately 100,000 square feet and will provide room for the 240 employees assigned to the Central Office. The site will accommodate the Department’s projected needs through 2020 and allows the flexibility necessary in planning for the future.
The lease on the current central office building, which is approximately 65,000 square feet, expires June 30, 2010.
The DOC currently employs 6,575 personnel, operating 23 state prisons, 19 regional community and parole offices, and monitoring six private facilities. The budget in fiscal year 2008-2009 is $761 million. At the present time Department employees are responsible for supervising over 23,000 incarcerated offenders and 11,000 parolees.
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