Corporation Commissioners in Oklahoma will learn this week what will be expected of them and their employees as they face an approaching renovation of the Jim Thorpe headquarters building.
It won’t be just another renovation but one that will mean relocating offices and employees to another site.
The renovation will be part of the $16 million bond package approved by the legislature in the last session. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services is in charge of the project which included “repairs, refurbishments, and improvements to the system of tunnels located on or connecting to the Capitol and those buildings and structures situated on the Capitol grounds.”
That includes the Jim Thorpe building, constructed in 1938 and houses not only the Corporation Commission but OMES Human Capital Management, Oklahoma Arts Council, State Election Board, American Legion and snack bar operator Health Nut Cafe LLC. The building is 162,074 square feet in size.
Corporation Commissioners have wondered about the renovation project which, according to an OMES spokesman, will begin in July or August 2023.
Caden Cleveland, Director of Legislative & Public Affairs at OMES explained in an email to OK Energy Today that an evaluation is still underway regarding any significant changes to the building.
“OMES is working with the current tenants on temporary relocation spaces. This has not been finalized yet,” he added.
The one big question facing corporation commissioners is “where will they be relocated to?”
Cleveland said a location has not been determined as of yet.
Corporation Commissioners have the matter on a Thursday morning meeting agenda.
