Human Services
Department of Human Services Set for Sept. 2010 Relocation
Main Offices Headed to New Central Arlington Location
Financial considerations, accessibility for clients, service integration and strategic opportunities for the future are key factors in September 2010 relocation.
ARLINGTON—The Department of Human Services will move its main offices from Clarendon to a central county location in 2010. The new site, an existing building south of Route 50 where it intersects with Washington Blvd., was chosen after more than a year of evaluation, research and planning.
“After much deliberation and weighing of options, I’m excited to say that this move is the best path forward for the agency, Arlington County and, most importantly, those served by the Department of Human Services,” said County Manager Ron Carlee. “Fiscal responsibility, accessibility for clients, service integration, and opportunities for strategic growth are just a few of the factors that entered into the decision making process. In the end, we are better positioned to meet the human services needs of Arlington for years to come.”
The Department of Human Services has operated from leased space in Clarendon for the past decade. The department is expected to occupy the new offices, at 2100 Washington Blvd. in the Sequoia Plaza complex, by September 1, 2010.
The new site offers many key operational and strategic advantages:
- Financial considerations—the County will be saving money on the lease
- Accessibility for clients—the new central location is closer to where clients live
- More efficient use of space—optimizing layout for more usable space and better work flow will streamline operations
- Strategic opportunities – options to lease and purchase additional space in this campus-like setting provide future opportunities for the County
The County Board authorized Carlee to sign a 13 year lease for the new space at its April 28 meeting. The lease includes options to renew and purchase.
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The goal of Arlington’s Department of Human Services is to make a real difference in people’s lives by promoting and providing outstanding human services for the entire community. If you have a child in a day care center or public school in Arlington, if you eat in Arlington restaurants, or shop at Arlington grocery stores, you are a beneficiary of Arlington human services. The department also provides extensive services for people who are disadvantaged or battling substance abuse and mental health issues, and has programs that protect the health and well being of Arlingtonians of all ages and abilities.
