TRUMBULL COUNTY Social Security seeks new office building

The government will put together specifications for bidders.
WARREN -- The Social Security Administration has begun its search for quarters in downtown Warren, a process that could take several months.
The central business district is the administration's first choice, said Barry Linville, manager of the Warren office.
He couldn't say how many places he's looked at or where they are, because the bid process is ongoing. The General Services Administration will assemble a package of specifications for bidders, Linville explained.
The administration's trend in recent years has been to have new, one-floor buildings built to specifications.
Last month, it had advertised for about 12,000 square feet of office space that it could rent on one floor. Its lease of 8,000 feet on the second floor at 1353 East Market St. ends in April 2006. About 30 people work for the agency there.
Forum Health has purchased that building and will eventually occupy all three floors. The building is across East Market from Trumbull Memorial Hospital.
The search process involves Social Security's regional office in Chicago, the GSA and its real estate consultant Equis Corp. in Carmel, Ind., and Linville. All involved will look over properties, and owners of those sites deemed acceptable will be asked to put together an offer.
The building must be a modern office-type structure meeting current standards for fire safety and handicapped accessibility. It cannot contain asbestos or have any other environmental issues. Space must be ready for occupancy by November 2006, with a 10-year lease.