by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
It’s almost moving time for the Army Corps of Engineers.
By the end of the year, the Corps will move to the Prudential Building adjacent to the Skyway on the Southbank. Currently, the employees are scattered on various floors of the Charles Bennett Federal Building and one floor of the BellSouth tower.
The move will house all of their personnel in one spot and the ongoing renovations at the Federal Building was one of the catalysts for the three-stage relocation.
“We felt we could have better quality space for our employees in the Prudential Building so we’re not going to move back,” said Judy Wilson, public affairs officer for the Corps. “We’ll have a lot of amenities over there. It’s a newer building with new carpet. It’s going to be a nice Christmas present.”
Larger conference facilities, an on-site restaurant and free parking are some of the other perks influencing the decision to head south of the river.
“Now, if the general comes to town, we don’t have to go to a hotel and rent a facility,” she added.
Beginning in late November, the initial phase will transfer one-third of the staff with the second third to leave the first week in December. The final phase of the transition is scheduled for Dec. 20.
“The last group will include the boss, Col. Greg May, and his staff,” said Wilson.
BellSouth currently accommodates the final group that will be moved, the Army Corps’ real estate division. Because of lease entanglements, an agreement must be negotiated separately for this class. Wilson anticipates the real estate division will not be able to join their co-workers at the new facility until spring. In total, over 800 people will be boxing the contents of their desks and making the trip.
“I speculate our customers are used to us being downtown,” said Wilson of why the agency chose to stay downtown. “Part of our mission is managing navigable waterways, including the river and the beaches.”
With the move just a couple of months away, there’s plenty of details to address.
“There’s a great deal to do to make sure the furniture is in the right cubicle, phone lines are hooked up, that Prudential has the space ready and that people aren’t strung out [between two offices] so no work is dropped,” said Wilson.
A dedication ceremony will likely follow the big move-in.