The State Worker: New round of repairs for California's state money pit

The State Worker

Chronicling civil-service life for California state workers

January 23, 2013

New round of repairs for California's state money pit

A $4 million repair project will start soon on the state Board of Equalization headquarters in Sacramento, even as the agency continues its push to get out of its high-rise money pit.

BOE, which collects California business taxes, has spent $65 million so far on repairs to the 22-year-old building at 450 N St. The problems have ranged from leaking windows and burst water pipes to toxic mold and faulty elevators.

And that doesn't count pending repairs to the building's corroded wastewater pipes.

This new project will replace 3,911 exterior glass panels that run between windows on the outside of the building.

Last year, one of the panels fell eight stories and shattered on a sidewalk. No one was injured.

Contractors brought in by the Department of General Services, which acts as the state's property manager, will start replacing panels on the building's 23rd floor within the next two to three weeks, said BOE spokesman Jaime Garza. Assuming that test run goes as planned, the full project will start in early summer.

Although general services contracts out the work, the board -- and by extension, taxpayers -- must pay for the repairs. BOE officials for several years have pushed to get out of the building, citing its long list of problems and a need for more space.

"BOE continues to negotiate with DGS to pursue that goal," Garza said in an email.

PHOTO: Board of Equalization headquarters / 2005 Sacramento Bee file

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