Multiple job-related agencies start offices in new building

MOSES LAKE - A one-stop career center opens Monday in Moses Lake, housing multiple employment partners under one roof.

Major partners include the Washington Department of Employment Security, the state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and SkillSource.

Wenatchee architectural firm MJ Neal Associates designed the one-story, 21,000 square-foot community facility, which sits on three acres at 309 E. Fifth Ave.

"Instead of people having to drive down to each agency - north and east and west - they will drive down to one location," said Executive Director of SkillSource for north central Washington Dave Petersen.

The building cost $4 million to construct. It was funded through a loan from the U.S. Rural Development Administration. The loan is being repaid with rent, Petersen said.

Other organizations with a presence inside the building include the American Association of Retired Persons, Columbia Basin Job Corps, the Opportunities Industrialization Center, Grant County Mental Health, Big Bend Community College and Goodwill Industries.

A cafe run by students is going to start service in the building this summer, Petersen said.

"We're really excited. It's coming together nicely," said Office Administrator for Employment Security Albert Garza.

Employment Security planned to move in Saturday.

Workshop rooms, interview rooms and a computer lab are all housed in the building.

Petersen said opportunities exist to combine workshops offered by the organizations while maintaining the same level of variety.

A resource lab is open to the public with computers, books, magazines and newspapers.

Waynco Construction Project Manager Chris Wight said SkillSource and job corps students helped with construction of the building.

"It became a training opportunity for them, and we're glad to have them out there," Wight said.

On Thursday, the construction company was applying striping in the parking lot and cleaning up in time for Monday morning.

Brad Brisbine of MJ Neal Associates said the triangular windows outside the building were an original element he designed. The stepping-stone look of the rock surrounding the windows add to the pyramid feel of the windows, Brisbine said.

"I'm crazy about them," he said. "I like them a lot."

A 55-foot by 14-foot skylight was included in the design. The material retains heat during the winter and blocks out heat during the summer, he said.

"People like daylight," Brisbine said. "The passing of the day, the quality of the light."

SkillSource students are conducting landscaping work for the outside of the building. The landscaping must be complete in six months, Petersen said.