For Immediate Release: March 25, 2009 SFO-09-05
Contact: Diane Drobka, 928-348-4403, Diane_Drobka@blm.gov
Contact: Diane Drobka, 928-348-4403, Diane_Drobka@blm.gov
Customer Service Continues During Renovation
Safford, Ariz. - The renovation of the offices of two federal agencies in Safford has begun, with construction crews busy on the first phase, the warehouse. The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Safford Field Office and Coronado National Forest’s Safford Ranger District share the office complex located at 711 14th Avenue. While BLM and Forest Service staff will eventually move into modular units on the east side of the building during the second phase of the remodeling, customer service will continue through the public entrance on the west side.
“We hope that everyone will be patient with us during this time of disruption,” said Scott Cooke, BLM Safford Field Manager. “While we will keep our doors open during regular business hours [8:00 am. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday] and will attempt to accommodate all requests for information and services, there may be files or other materials in storage that are not immediately accessible.”
Anyone who needs information or to meet with a staff member should call the office in advance to ensure that data and personnel are quickly available. Spring and summer are important field seasons, with many specialists conducting fieldwork, so it’s best to phone ahead before driving to the office if you need to meet with a specific staff member. Call the BLM at 348-4400 or the Forest Service at 428-4150 to set up appointments or request detailed information.
Renovations to the office are being completed by the building owners and not by the federal government. As part of a new lease agreement, updates to various aspects of the building were required. Lighting systems will be more energy efficient by automatically turning off when rooms are unoccupied. Restrooms will be equipped with water-saving features.
“While this is not a BLM project, we are pleased that the owners are striving to become certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system,” added Cooke. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Architects, real estate professionals, facility managers, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, construction managers, lenders and government officials all use LEED to help transform the built environment to sustainability. State and local governments across the country are also adopting LEED for public-owned and public-funded buildings.
The renovation could take up to six months. It will not impact services at the Veteran’s Administration (VA) Clinic, also located in the building.
The BLM manages more land – 256 million acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
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