A building first constructed in the
late 50s, early 60s at the Capitol complex is on its way to renovation.
The Capitol Building Commission
approved the construction plans for the renovation of Capitol Complex Building
3, referred to by some as the “old DMV
Building
“That’s where the original offices
for the Division of Motor Vehicles were,” Jason Pizatella, Acting Secretary of
Administration said. “Over the last 50 years, that building has been used from
everything from DMV, to DHHR, to Division of Natural Resources, to the Office
of Technology. It’s seen a lot of tenants over the last 50 years.”
However, Pizatella said it is in
“bad shape,” in need of repairs.
The commission approval allows the
project to move forward with the plans which aim to modernize the structure
while keeping the some of the historic architectural themes.
“It was designed by Cass Gilbert
Jr., the same architect that designed the State Capitol
Building
The project has been in the work
for nearly six years, with the building fully vacated in 2010.
One of the major hurdles for the
project, Pizatella said, has been the ability to find the best deal.
“Do it so that it’s a modern office
environment for our agencies but is done so and accomplished with the benefit
to being fiscally responsible and doing the best we can as being stewards of
taxpayer dollars.”
Once the renovation is complete,
the building will have a built-in cost saving feature in that agencies
currently renting space around the Capitol building will now be able to move
back to the complex.
Those agencies tentatively selected
to move in are the Department of Commerce, the Division of Tourism, WorkForce
West Virginia
Pizatella explained the next step was that “We will discuss it
with our Purchasing Division. That’s the agency that will put this contract out
for bid and advertise it so that we can have as competitive environment that we
can and get the best price.
