Client: Adams County

Gruen Gruen + Associates (GG+A) was engaged to forecast building space demand for housing Adams County government staff and to conduct a financial analysis of the Facilities Master Plan (FMP). The study involved analyzing historical staffing levels relative to countywide population and job growth, projecting future population and employment trends, and estimating additional workforce needs required to maintain staffing benchmarks. Using statistical regression and departmental surveys, GG+A forecasted future staffing increases by major department based on service population growth and staffing ratios.

GG+A also assessed the financial implications of two real estate portfolio scenarios: maintaining the status quo (“Base Case”) and implementing the recommended FMP. The financial analysis projected annual and total occupancy costs over a 20-year period (2024–2043), encompassing costs related to leasing, ownership, maintenance, operations, and capital improvements. Results were presented on a per-square-foot and per-employee basis to facilitate scenario comparisons. GG+A also developed research and recommendations about future leasing and property development options in locations throughout the county including Federal Heights, Commerce City, Brighton, and Strasburg.

Occupancy costs included facility operating expenses, capital expenditures, debt service payments, and lease revenue offsets from county-owned properties. The analysis provided decision-makers with insights into the timing and magnitude of incremental costs required to achieve the FMP’s principles and goals.