MONTPELIER — A team of consultants trying to figure out where to put state workers displaced by Irene flooding is considering using the upper floors of the flooded Waterbury complex and other options.
The architecture firm leading the work is on schedule to report on March 2 on the costs, work and construction timeline for four proposals to house the workers, the president of the Burlington-based Freeman French Freeman told a Vermont Senate committee.
“We’re on task,” Jesse Beck said four weeks into the eight-week schedule.
The proposals under consideration are returning to the Waterbury complex; returning and selling or leasing some of the space; moving to new office space elsewhere or a combination of the three.
“The bottom line is that there’s a lot of the square footage that did not get wet,” Beck told the Senate Institutions Committee.
About 1,500 state workers were displaced from the complex after the Winooski River swept through it in the Aug. 28 storm.
Most of the buildings, other than the basements, ground floor and tunnels that were flooded, are in good shape because they have been occupied and maintained, he said.
“We’re looking at not using the lower levels, using all the upper level of the buildings,” Beck said.
Freeman French Freeman has hired engineers, an architectural historian as well as an economic analyst and a cost consultant and a code consultant to analyze the work needed.
The consultants also are trying to lower the risk for future flood damage.
A flood engineer has established where the pathways of water flowed through the site, Beck said.
“We’re looking at how much water can be handled on-site without damaging the buildings. And then if there’s some flood plain waters, which is usually pretty shallow, how can you clean it up quickly and not get in the way of having office buildings,” he said.
-Lisa Rathke, Associated Press
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