Chicago Contruction News staff writer
The State of Illinois has received a donation of a 51,000-sq. ft. office building appraised at $4.5 million – a Class A space with smart digital controls, energy efficient HVAC and lighting, a backup generator, and the latest fiber optic service.
“Thanks to the generosity of Bob Blettner and the Blettner Group, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is getting a new home in Marion—providing DCFS staff with a modernized facility and streamlined operations,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “This acquisition will further allow DCFS staff to do the work that matters most: helping the children and families of Illinois thrive.
“My administration has prioritized maintaining a real estate portfolio that is efficient, sustainable, and cost-conscious—and this new office building furthers those efforts.”
The building will be renovated for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and one or more other State agencies. Currently, DCFS has two facilities in the Marion area, and the donated property will offer much improved space.
“The generosity of The Blettner Group in donating this high-class facility will mean a more comfortable environment for families interacting with DCFS and a more professional place for the good people providing these services to work in,” said State Representative Dave Severin. “DCFS is gaining a world-class facility. That will lead to better outcomes for DCFS employees and families and children interacting with the agency.”
In Springfield, the state is undertaking several capital projects to repurpose and consolidate space including the renovation of the historic Illinois State Armory, which will maximize space utilization by creating efficient and flexible office spaces for State’s operations while incorporating green and sustainable strategies.
The state will also construct a new certified Central Computing Facility to create a Tier III data center to support the State’s efforts to modernize and respond to evolving technology. The state will renovate the existing data center structure, adopt the new space standards, and repurpose it for state operations.
