SENATOR BRUNO ANNOUNCES OPENING OF OCFS BUILDING IN RENSSELAER

Office of Children and Family Services Consolidates Offices

Monday, July 30, 2001

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno today announced the opening of a new building in the City of Rensselaer for the New York Office of Children and Family Services that will help complete the relocation of approximately 900 state employees to the city -- the largest influx of state workers ever seen in Rensselaer-- and save valuable tax dollars. This opening represents the final stage of a project to consolidate the offices of OCFS into one location at Capitol View Office Park. It is expected that the relocation will be finalized this fall.

"The opening of this building and consolidation of the department's offices will surely be a benefit to everyone involved," said Senator Bruno. "Instead of having offices scattered across the Capital District, OCFS will benefit by having all of its employees in a central location, and the relocation of these employees is yet another step in our continuing efforts to strengthen the Rensselaer County economy.

"Over the past few years we have relocated over 2000 employees to Rensselaer County and the area will certainly reap the benefits of this infusion of jobs," said Senator Bruno. "Projects like these certainly create a great deal of interest and excitement and I look forward to working with County Executive Kathy Jimino in helping to continue the economic expansion of Rensselaer County."

"I am pleased to welcome the dedicated employees of OCFS who will not only be the foundation of the economic revitalization of the City of Rensselaer but will be better positioned to serve the citizens of the state," said Kathy Jimino, Rensselaer County Executive. "Thanks to the efforts of Senator Bruno, Rensselaer, with the influx of thousands of new jobs and millions of investment dollars -- both private and public, is poised to enter a period of renaissance."

"The construction of this building, the renovation of our old office space and the upcoming consolidation of the agency's Capital District offices to Rensselaer will greatly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the services we provide to the children and families of New York State," said John A. Johnson, OCFS Commissioner. "In bringing the agency's staff together in one location, OCFS can better fulfill Governor Pataki's vision for more effective delivery of services while saving taxpayers' money."

"The Governor remains committed to having state agencies work together to provide better services to their clients and improve the work environment for their employees while reducing state costs. This energy efficient, state of the art building along with an updated facility is a great example of two state agencies working together to achieve that goal," said Kenneth J. Ringler Jr., Commissioner of the New York State Office of General Services.

When renovations are completed this fall, more than 900 employees will work from the OCFS headquarters in the Capitol View complex. The lease price for the new headquarters is considerably less than the standard price in Albany. This $12 million relocation project also included the renovation of the former Huyck Felt Company building.

The consolidation of OCFS offices in Rensselaer is part of a larger effort to bring more state employees to Rensselaer. In addition, Senator Bruno has worked with Governor George Pataki to move state employees to Troy, including:

*350 Health Department employees to the Hedley Building;
*300 Labor Department employees to the Troy Atrium;
*350 employees of the Center for Environmental Health to Flanigan Square;
*110 employees of the Attorney General's Office to the Hendrick Hudson Building;
*50 Tax and Finance employees to 2001 5th Avenue;
*120 Health Department employees to the Frear Building.

"Thanks in no small measure to the leadership of Governor Pataki, the Capital Region's economy has shared in New York State's economic turnaround," said Senator Bruno. "The redistribution of state employees to localities throughout the region, combined with private sector investment and expanded efforts to attract high technology jobs have aided the resurgence of the local economies."

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