OREM — After 14 years of being crammed into too-tight quarters, the Orem Public Works Department finally has a new spacious place to call home.

The department hopes to start moving in today to a new, 84,000-square-foot complex at 1450 W. 550 North in the Bunker Business Park.

"We only get one time to build a new facility," said Public Works Director Bruce Chesnut. "We better plan for a bit of growth."

The new $7.7 million complex dwarfs its predecessor at 955 N. 900 West, which has been around since 1973.

With four huge "work bays," the L-shaped structure on 20.5 acres provides far more room for city fleet services, administration and the city carpenter, as well as departments responsible for street signs and lights, traffic control, parks and storm water.

In the old building, only 20 percent of the city's 248 vehicles could be inside at any given time. Now, around 70 percent of vehicles can camp out in the 23-feet-high, 90- to 100-feet-wide bays. "It really helps with the kind of weather we have here in Utah," Chesnut said.

Planning for growth is also seen in the large conference room near the main entrance. Designed with earthquake-resistant walls and emergency backup outlets, the room can become an Emergency Operation Center during a crisis.

But until then, it's just a highly functional meeting room with an adjoining kitchen for retirement parties or small lunch gatherings.

The specifics of each area were custom-designed by those who will be working there — all 107 full-time employees, with 70 seasonal workers.

"Everybody had some input in how the building should be designed," said Steve Webber, maintenance division manager. "We tried to take everybody's (ideas)."
So, when city mechanics asked for multiple air and water pumps at each work station, they got it.

"The mechanics are just thrilled to death," Chesnut said. "We have the latest and greatest a fleet shop would need."

There's also plenty of outside storage space for pipes, piles of salt used during the winter and mulch for the parks.

Construction began in January 2006, although the building design had been batted around for three years and the goal of a new building for about 14.

Plastic runners still line the stairs, and spackling patches are waiting to be covered by the painter. The finishing touches will probably be ongoing for the next month or so, Chesnut said.