Cascade Township Signs Lease to Accommodate Space Needs
Building Department to Move in January
Cascade Township, Michigan, Dec. 20, 2017 – Cascade Charter Township has signed a short-term lease agreement for additional office space, which will be occupied by its Building Department in order to meet ongoing space demands.
Located at 3040 Charlevoix Dr. SE, the newly leased space will provide the Township with an additional 5,000 square feet, doubling the space used by the Building Department and giving the Township much-needed extra capacity for staff, which has grown and will continue to grow as the Township population increases. The Department is expected to move on Jan. 9.
“This short-term lease agreement will offer an immediate solution to space constraints while we review our options,” said Ben Swayze, Township manager. “Shifting the Building Department will improve access for contractors and communities we serve, while allowing Cascade the ability to effectively reorganize our main office to provide the continued level of services expected by Cascade residents.”
Due to the clear division between the services provided by the Building Department and other departments in the Township, it was selected for relocation. The Building Department currently serves seven customer communities remotely, including Grand Rapids Township, Lowell Township, Ada Township, Vergennes Township, Plainfield Township, the City of East Grand Rapids and the City of Lowell, by issuing permits and completing inspections on a contractual basis.
Since 2000, the Cascade Township population has grown more than 25 percent—a trend that is expected to continue well into the future. In order to meet the service demands of the residents and businesses, Swayze said the Township must ensure there is enough space to accommodate organic staff growth now and into the future.
Much like the other departments within the Township, the Building Department has been required to expand its workforce to meet growing demand from residents and businesses, as the number of permits issued by the department has increased 127 percent since 2009.
Over the course of 2015 and 2016, the Township evaluated the need for a new Township facility in response to space constraints and overall challenges with building maintenance for its aging facility at 2865 Thornhills Ave. SE. During this time, residents asked that more extensive research be completed regarding the space situation and suggested the Township consider a short-term solution in the meantime.
“Out of respect for resident concerns and opinions, the Township has opted for a short-term lease agreement as an interim step,” Swayze said. “We are making plans to conduct a more extensive study on the development of new, renovated or expanded facilities to accommodate all services provided by the Township.
“These services will include space for administrative staff, fire and emergency services staff, buildings and grounds staff, and library services.”
In its new location only minutes from the main office, the Building Department will continue to ensure a safe building environment through the consistent enforcement of the State of Michigan Building Codes. The space that will become available in the main facility as a result of the Building Department move will be occupied by staff in the remaining departments and will provide solutions for immediate needs such as office space, conference rooms, records space and secure storage for election materials and equipment.
The space will be used as-is. No monies will be spent to change the current layout of the leased space.
About Cascade Township
Home to more than 18,000 residents, Cascade Township is committed to serving the public by providing the finest community services possible with respect, efficiency and integrity. With the Thornapple River at its heart, Cascade Township is recognized as an excellent place to live, work, recreate and raise a family. For more information, visit http://www.cascadetwp.com/.
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