Maine Turnpike getting new $13m digs
Posted Sun, 2007-07-01 11:45
Maine Turnpike Authority's board has authorized it to seek bids for construction of new head offices costing $13m. The three story building of 55k sq ft (5,000m2) will be located near the main Portland airport, just off the Turnpike. Administrative staff are presently located in a suburban shopping plaza style single story building, and in other rented space nearby.
Maine Turnpike operates 175km (109mi) of tollroad and collects about $90m in annual toll revenues from an average of 165k toll transactions/day.
Other controversies
Construction of new headquarters buildings can be controversial for public toll authorities in the US. The present governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich campaigned for office denouncing the Tollway for its "palatial" premises. Standing in front of the modern glassy building in Downers Grove for TV cameras he promised to sell it if elected governor.
Blagojevich forgot that promise once in office, but it remained a fact that the Tollway offices were a political hot potato.
The building cost about $40m in the early 1990s, and provides a nice airy working environment.
In Orlando Florida a new $24m 81k sq ft (7,525m2) 3-storey headquarters building has also been a focal point for criticism of the local toll expressway authority. There has been discussion of selling the building rather than moving in.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Authority rehabbed the interior and added fancy atrium and senior executive spaces to their 50 year old head office building in Highspire near Harrisburg PA for $25m during 2000-2001.
TOLLROADSnews 2007-07-01
Maine Turnpike Authority's board has authorized it to seek bids for construction of new head offices costing $13m. The three story building of 55k sq ft (5,000m2) will be located near the main Portland airport, just off the Turnpike. Administrative staff are presently located in a suburban shopping plaza style single story building, and in other rented space nearby.Maine Turnpike operates 175km (109mi) of tollroad and collects about $90m in annual toll revenues from an average of 165k toll transactions/day.
Other controversies
Construction of new headquarters buildings can be controversial for public toll authorities in the US. The present governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich campaigned for office denouncing the Tollway for its "palatial" premises. Standing in front of the modern glassy building in Downers Grove for TV cameras he promised to sell it if elected governor.
Blagojevich forgot that promise once in office, but it remained a fact that the Tollway offices were a political hot potato.
The building cost about $40m in the early 1990s, and provides a nice airy working environment.
In Orlando Florida a new $24m 81k sq ft (7,525m2) 3-storey headquarters building has also been a focal point for criticism of the local toll expressway authority. There has been discussion of selling the building rather than moving in.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Authority rehabbed the interior and added fancy atrium and senior executive spaces to their 50 year old head office building in Highspire near Harrisburg PA for $25m during 2000-2001.
TOLLROADSnews 2007-07-01