CDCR headquarters changes: Cubicles, security

December 10, 2009

Within the next nine months, employees located at CDCR headquarters at 1515 S Street in Sacramento will see changes. Improvements include enhanced security inside and outside the building. Also, the department is replacing older furniture with modular furniture to better use existing space.

Construction of space is anticipated to begin in late January 2010. Painting and carpet replacement/cleaning will begin this week in vacant areas not affected by construction. This work will be completed before and after hours, furlough Fridays, and weekends to minimize disruptions.

Renewed eight-year lease

These changes are part of the lease terms agreed upon by CDCR, its property managers and the Department of General Services.

According to Jan Dietz, deputy director for the CDCR Facilities Management Division, the lease for some 305,000 square feet in the two buildings will assist the department in maintaining a downtown presence within walking distance of the Capitol and other state agencies.

She said the square footage rate is extremely competitive compared to other available square footage downtown. The lease is for the next eight years, with four years being part of a firm term. A variety of upgrades were incorporated into the lease with no out-of-pocket expense to CDCR.

“As things begin to happen, we plan to communicate with staff and let them know about our schedule of what floors and what areas of the different buildings will be next so they can plan for these events,” Dietz said.

Enhanced security

Enhanced security inside and outside the two buildings will be the most visible change to employees and visitors. The planned improvements include closing off the breezeways and making the entrance on S Street as the only visitor entrance.

Security officers will be posted and anyone entering will be required to display their CDCR-issued photo identification or to sign in.

“There will also be cameras recording who comes and goes,” Dietz said. “We will ask employees to be vigilant and not let anyone in who isn’t an employee or doesn’t have an access badge.”

Upgraded work areas

In the past year, many components of the Division of Support Services, such as Accounting, Contracts and Payroll, have relocated to office space in Rancho Cordova where CDCR has long term leases.

The empty office space will be reconfigured and more efficiently planned as older office furniture is moved out and replaced with newer cubicles CDCR received as surplus from the Department of Consumer Affairs. The older furniture is being offered to other state agencies.

The modular furniture will free up the use of meeting rooms currently housing staff. The more efficient modulars will provide more privacy for employees while reducing the current square feet needed, according to Dietz.

With these and other efficiencies, offices and divisions can consolidate and move into one general area. Currently, they are scattered around the two buildings. This will help make their operations more efficient and is also intended to better serve CDCR employees and other customers.

CDCR space planners have been working on this so called “stacking plan” since fall 2008 to ensure existing space needs and requests are accommodated. Also, offices previously scattered around the building will now be clustered in central locations.

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