D1 teams tackle storage problems
to maximize space

Last week, several departments in District 1 came together to clean out a storage building that had become full.

The plastics building—named for the sampling containers that were historically housed there—was home to office furniture, guardrail, old survey equipment, construction files, flat tires and even a picnic table. Over the course of a few days, employees from administration, supply, materials, operations and the shop determined what needed to be kept or what was no longer valuable to the department in order to make the space useable again.

The team developed a plan and schedule for clearing the building out, along with three other vaults in the main building. One of the most satisfying parts was shredding 250 boxes of old files.

“Five years after closeout, construction files can be disposed of,” Records Inspector Jenny Klein said. “Each project historically averaged two to five boxes, and the larger projects generated 20 or 30 boxes. Those are the hairy and nasty ones.”

The team is in the final stages of organizing after the cleanup, but once empty it will be able to store larger supply items and also surplus furniture and equipment until they are disposed by ITD.

“This is the type of project no one wants to do but is a perfect example of how ITD teams always join together to get the job done,” Business Operations Manager Drue Hatfield said. “Thank you to Jenny and Supply staff for cleaning house.”

The Plastics Building is only the latest to be cleaned – the residencies, Traffic section and Materials section recently joined forces to clear out other buildings, and work has started in the sheds to get rid of old equipment and parts.

“Generally speaking, we have more equipment than we have sheds,” Facility Manager Chris “Junior” Williams said. “But in the Coeur d’Alene office, we’re not using our space as best as we can, and that’s why we are focusing on maximizing what we have rather than funding more buildings.”

Published 09-18-20