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The Commonwealth's Real Estate Development Projects

In an effort to provide adequate office space for state agencies and decrease the amount the Commonwealth spends on leased space the Department of General Services has purchased two new properties. These new properties are part of the Commonwealth’s real estate development efforts that further strengthens the Commonwealth’s commitment to Richmond’s business district.

A recent move by the Virginia Department of Health's Richmond City Health District will enhance the quality of health care for the people it serves. The City of Richmond Public Health Department has been in need of improved office and clinic space. The fully furnished $6.5 million building located at 400 East Cary Street was purchased by the Department of General Services in 2008. Moving in phases, the new location of the City of Richmond's Health Department will officially open for patient care in late summer 2009. The new facility provides for:

• doubling the number of patient exam rooms, increasing from five to ten rooms;
• central air for the entire building;
• enhanced technological infrastructure for upgrades in computers and other clinic equipment;
• an improved waiting area for patients, allowing educational programs to be presented while patients wait; and,
• better pedestrian flow that provides for more efficient processes and greater safeguards for privacy and confidentiality

The new clinical facility will enhance the quality patient care the Richmond Health Department currently provides. In addition, the building allows all other Richmond Public Health offices and programs to be housed in one central location that is easily accessible to the public.

Main Street Centre located at 600 East Main Street was purchased in the fall of 2008. It has over 424,000 square feet and includes 329 parking spaces. Existing leases will be honored until they expire, but plans are for the Department of Taxation to move into this building. It will consolidate many state agencies currently in leased space. Locating state agencies in state owned facilities is a cost effective real estate strategy that will reduce agencies’ operating costs.

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The Department of General Services' Division of Engineering and Buildings is responsible for planning and executing all state government building projects.

One recent high-profile project was the restoration and expansion of the State Capitol, which recently reopened its doors to the public on May 1, 2007. The project goal was to revitalize the 216 year-old building by transforming it into an efficient, modern working environment while preserving every aspect of its historical significance.

The newly restored Capitol boasts completely new heating, cooling and electrical systems; state-of-the-art meeting rooms and exhibit spaces, and a spacious new visitors center -- all within a painstakingly repainted, refurbished and authentically restored Neoclassical structure.

The Capitol's grand reopening coincided with the Jamestown 400th anniversary celebrations and a visit from Queen Elizabeth II of England. The newly renovated Capitol building made for a beautiful and memorable backdrop to these once in a lifetime events for the citizens of Virginia.