The Department of General Services (DGS) Capital Improvements Program supports the planning, design, construction, renovation, and replacement of facilities required by the operating departments of the County government. In addition, the program provides for the scheduled replacement of roofs, internal systems (such as air conditioning), and other components in all buildings owned by the County government.In addition to general government projects directly under the supervision of DGS, the department conducts site selection and design/construction coordination for facility-related projects required by other County departments: including Libraries, Recreation, Fire/Rescue, Police, Correction and Rehabilitation, and Transportation. These projects make use...

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

The Department of General Services (DGS) Capital Improvements Program supports the planning, design, construction, renovation, and replacement of facilities required by the operating departments of the County government. In addition, the program provides for the scheduled replacement of roofs, internal systems (such as air conditioning), and other components in all buildings owned by the County government.

In addition to general government projects directly under the supervision of DGS, the department conducts site selection and design/construction coordination for facility-related projects required by other County departments: including Libraries, Recreation, Fire/Rescue, Police, Correction and Rehabilitation, and Transportation. These projects make use of DGS design and construction management expertise and are discussed in sections of the CIP covering the specific programs of the other departments.

The DGS Capital Program continues to reflect an emphasis on systemic replacement programs. Significant expenditures include heating, ventilating, air conditioning (HVAC) systems and roof replacement, as they are the two most expensive components of a building. Projects such as Energy Conservation: MCG (Montgomery County Government) and Energy Systems Modernization are investments in lower operating costs through improved and more efficient lighting and other energy-consuming systems.

In addition to systems replacement and improvement programs, DGS builds, repairs, and renovates structures used by County agencies. When operating departments propose renovations to their buildings (such as libraries or fire stations) for improved operational use, DGS also assesses the condition of the physical plant and building systems. Generally, if a decision is made to renovate a specific facility, all work will be included within the project. If less than a full-scale renovation is needed, work required for roofs, HVAC, electrical systems, and modifications to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act will be budgeted within the respective systemic projects.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Add funding for three new projects - The 260 East Jefferson Street Acquisition project to provide for the strategic acquisition of the property located at 260 East Jefferson Street as the County continues to evaluate the Rockville Core and future space needs in leased spaces throughout the Rockville Core, the Dickerson Radio Tower project for the installation of a 450-foot communications tower near the PSRS equipment shelter to replace the GenOn smokestack, and the Lincoln High School project for the renovation of the building including roof replacement and some building envelope repair, in order to prevent further deterioration of the building.
• Continue to replace aging County building roof systems, parking lots, and elevator systems.
• Increase funding for the replacement/renovation of outdated Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems and electrical systems in County buildings to improve energy efficiency of County facilities.
• Increase funding for energy conservation projects using utility incentives from the Pepco/Exelon merger.
• Add new Facility Planning: MCG studies, including Alternate Emergency Communications Center, Clarksburg Library, and future County transit depots.
• Complete the renovations of the Council Office Building and Rockville Core projects (Grey Courthouse).
• Complete the construction of a communications tower near the Public Safety Radio System (PSRS) equipment shelter in the Dickerson area of the County.
• The fully funded the Public Safety System Modernization (PSSM) project completed the infrastructure update for the Public Safety Radio System in March 2021. The installation of the desktop radio consoles for the Alternate Emergency Communications Center will be completed by the end of FY22. The County anticipates that the Law Enforcement Records Management System (LE-RMS) contract will also be awarded by the end of FY22 and implemented within 18 months. Preliminary planning and budget estimation is also underway for the Fire Records Management System replacement.

PROGRAM CONTACTS

Contact Angela Dizelos of the Department of General Services at 240.777.6028 or Anita Aryeetey of the Office of Management and Budget at 240.777.2784 for more information regarding the County Offices and Other Improvements capital budget.

CAPITAL PROGRAM REVIEW

The recommended FY23-28 CIP for DGS includes 23 capital projects totaling $180.3 million. This represents a $32.1 million, or 15.1 percent decrease from the $212.4 million included in the amended FY21-26 program. The cost decrease is due primarily to the completion of the Council Office Building Renovation and Rockville Core projects and most of the Public Safety System Modernization project, net of increases in HVAC and electrical system replacement funding.

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