WDFW office open at Mirabeau Point

The new Eastern Washington headquarters for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife was dedicated Thursday in a ceremony at the facility in the Mirabeau Point development.

Officials said the new facility is something they’ve needed for a long time. The department outgrew its 50-plus-year-old 2,900-square-foot building on North Division more than a decade ago.

“Most Spokane-area WDFW staff were working out of leased space or home offices,” said spokeswoman Madonna Luers.

The 14,600-square-foot, two-story building has the capacity to provide customer service and support for 120 employees regionwide, Luers said. The Eastern Washington division is the largest in the state, covering 10 counties that stretch from Canada to Oregon and from Idaho to the Columbia Basin.

Several state officials were on hand Thursday to acknowledge the success of creating a new, larger facility that will bring wildlife staff together in one building, and cut the ribbon.

“As we drove in, I said that can’t be the building it’s too good looking,” Gov. Christine Gregoire said at the dedication ceremony. “I’ve already tested the woman’s restroom and it works perfectly.”

The multimillion dollar building on five acres features large and small meeting rooms, work project and reference areas, offices and cubicle space for 50 permanent and seasonal staff, and state-of-the-art security for the agency’s enforcement program. Additions such as a covered compound for boats and equipment, a small maintenance shop and a fish and wildlife laboratory are planned as funds become available.

“Putting people together in one building makes good government,” said WDFW Director Jeff Koenings. “This project has been a long time coming.”