Michigan state government is about to undergo a major reshuffling.
During the next 18 to 20 months, approximately 2,000 state employees will have to pack up and move out of their current offices. Five state agencies are taking part in this large-scale game of musical chairs.
The Michigan State Police will soon vacate the headquarters the agency just moved into about five years ago. The 400 staffers at the MSP headquarters will move from downtown Lansing a short drive away to a complex of state government offices in Dimondale.
Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue is the director of the Michigan State Police. She says the move will create a “public safety campus.” Eventually, Homeland Security, Forensics laboratories and other law enforcement operations will be located at the complex south of the state capitol.
The practically brand new building the state police are leaving will not be empty for long.
State health department officials will move in after the troopers move out.
Three other state agencies will also be packing up and moving out of their current offices during the next 18 to 20 months.
All this disruption is supposed to make state government more efficient.
Caleb Buhs is a spokesman for the Dept. of Technology, Management and Budget.
He says realigning the various state agencies is intended to create “more efficiencies and enhance the opportunities for collaboration between departments with similar missions.”
All the shifting around may also have a financial benefit.
State officials say the state should save $32 million dollars over the next ten years by not having to lease as much office space.
