The building at U.S. 36 is one of two used by the agency, along with the Lawnview Child and Family Center on U.S. 68. However, in part to reduce expenses, the DoDD is planning to move all of its services into the family and child center on U.S. 68, Zureich said.
The sale of the facility at U.S. 36 will save the agency as much as $180,000 annually in utilities and building maintenance, Zureich said, and in the long term will help prevent the agency from asking for more revenue from voters.
The agency also shares services and some administrative staff with Shelby County in order to reduce costs.
“We do everything we can so we can reduce costs without affecting our service structure,” Zureich said.
The facility on U.S. 36 is primarily used for office space for staff as well as case management and services for adults with developmental disabilities. But Zureich said there is enough space at its other facility to house those services as well. Doing so would involve moving about 50 employees.
Any revenue generated by the sale of the building will likely be used for needed renovations. Zureich said it’s not yet clear how much the sale would generate.
“We have had quite a bit of interest in the building expressed,” Zureich said. “We’ll just have to wait to see what happens.”
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