CRAMPED QUARTERS OF DFS ABOUT TO BE EXPANDED

The Missouri Division of Family Services, currently housed in cramped quarters at 130 S. Frederick, may get some breathing room by the end of the year.

Wayne Collins, assistant director of the Division of Facilities Management for the state, said his division recently awarded a bid for a 19,000-square-foot facility to be constructed at Highway 74 and South Sprigg Street.

Terry Wilson of Caruthersville won the bid, and the state will lease his new building for $166,250 annually. Wilson will provide maintenance.

The new building may be occupied by December, Collins estimated, but only the child-support-enforcement staff will move over from DFS.

Employees at the Frederick Street building currently face problems with overcrowding and lack of parking.

People from the Missouri Department of Health and Missouri Department of Revenue will work in the new building along with the DFS employees.

Collins said it is more cost effective for the state to lease instead of buy office space in rural areas to save the expense of maintenance personnel.