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Plans coming together for new D-4 Headquarters

District 4 Newsletter: Interchange
This time it is not a drill. The reality of a new District 4 Headquarters building is closer now than ever before with actual building plans being circulated in Shoshone.

While the plans provided to the district are far from a final draft, the reality of a new building shows commitment by the state to likely proceed with construction this time.

“Our expectation of this happening is very high,” said District Engineer Devin Rigby. “The funding is in place, and right now we expect for construction to begin sometime this coming spring.”

According to Rigby, the new building will be about 30 percent larger than the existing Headquarters building, and the space will be much better utilized.

Measuring in at more than 32,000 square feet — compared to about 23,000 now — the $6 million facility will include room for the materials lab, the Shoshone Residency, more meeting rooms and ample space to grow, and all located on one level. The newest set of plans, seen below, shows the basic layout of the building.

The new HQ also will be relocated to the corner of West A and Fir Streets, facing northwest. The existing Materials storage building will be moved or torn down, Rigby said.

The design of the building does come with some constraints as well. The State Building Authority allows but only a certain amount of square footage for every position and only upper-level administrators get walled offices. As a result, many employees will see a reduction in the amount of desk and personal space.

However, more attention was put into the open spaces between offices, more meeting rooms and a lot more windows to the outside, giving employees a cubicle an outside view.

The three Quonset buildings in the maintenance yard will be removed and additional storage buildings will be constructed elsewhere on the compound.

Rigby said there are not immediate plans for the existing Headquarters building.