Crews this week started a renovation project on the first floor of Cohodas in preparation for Human Resources’ move to the building by mid-November. The vacancy HR will leave in the Services Building will be occupied in the spring by the new applied behavior analysis center (see related story here).

The Cohodas space was the former site of the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center. The primary change will be dividing the large, open exhibit area into a conference room, secured file room for personnel records and a small training room. 

“We will reuse the six individual offices within the space that were a carryover from when Financial Services was located in Cohodas,” Thams said. “There will also be a new entry and reception area when you walk in. The half-wall counter will come out and the reception furniture from HR will be installed there. But the renovation itself is relatively simple.”

To convert the services building space to a center offering assessment and therapeutic services for children with autism spectrum disorder and other behavioral concerns, a new restroom within the facility will be required.

“We also need to build a small partition wall that will separate the therapy area and the reception area,” Thams said. “That way the children won’t have to see or walk by their parents when they move around, potentially interfering with the therapy they’re trying to conduct.”

The renovation project for the new center is scheduled to be completed shortly after the holiday break.