Carlos Dickerson

The meeting focused on the third amendment to the Benson Tower lease, which formalizes the state's vacation of office space, provides a retroactive rent reduction, and establishes future rent adjustments. Discussion items included an option for the state to vacate the 21st floor, updated lease termination provisions tied to ownership, and ongoing agency consolidation efforts and space planning, including parking challenges. Furthermore, the meeting addressed financial savings from the lease amendments, pending bond issues for the purchase and renovation of the United 12 building, and the timeline for ongoing construction and relocation projects.

The meeting included a presentation on the Capital Park Space Planning Study, which focuses on updating design standards and reallocating space to improve efficiency through virtually paper-free operations and open-plan workstations. Funding for these updates via bond sales was discussed, with a proposal to make decisions later in the year. The committee reviewed Pro-Forma evaluations aimed at establishing a levelized statewide lease rate. Additionally, a preliminary resolution for the acquisitions and renovations of Lease Revenue Bonds was approved, pending the finalization of House Bill 2. Finally, the committee approved the relinquishing of 31,000 square feet of space across three floors in Benson Tower to Ochsner.

This annual agency plan outlines strategies and goals for the upcoming year and reports on progress and outcomes for the current year, specifically focusing on the employment of individuals with disabilities in compliance with Louisiana R.S. 46:2597. It details up to seven key strategies and includes a data comparison of disability employment percentages between the previous and current calendar years to assess and improve the agency's performance as a model employer.

The board conducted several designer selection processes for various state projects. These included the conversion of a building for the 122nd Cyber Squadron, renovations for animal and food science facilities at Louisiana State University, interior renovations for the LaSalle, Bienville, Galvez, and Iberville buildings, as well as re-roofing and waterproofing projects for the Louisiana School for the Deaf and Visually Impaired and the Louisiana State Museum.

The board met to conduct architect selection processes for eight distinct capital projects. The projects included the conversion of Building 2033 for the 122nd Cyber Squadron at Jackson Barracks, renovations for the Animal and Food Science Facilities at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, and various interior renovations for the LaSalle, Bienville, Galvez, and Iberville buildings in State Capitol Park. Additionally, the board addressed re-roofing projects for the Louisiana School for the Deaf and Visually Impaired, as well as re-roofing and waterproofing requirements for the Louisiana State Museum.