Metro spends nearly $40k on communications office upgrades ...

Metro's communications staff has seen a lot of changes in recent months, and so has their office space.

The agency has spent nearly $40,000 revamping the office space for its public relations team, including adding new carpet, a new couch and new Apple computers, according to a spokeswoman.

General Manager Richard Sarles brought in a whole new team to brand his work at Metro since joining the agency last year, with new employees from the top on down. He even created a few new positions, including a social media guru, a market researcher and a managing director of public relations. The new managing director also needed an assistant. More hires are expected soon as the agency creates a bus alert system with three new people.

With those staffing changes came changes to the office space. The agency had to squeeze two more offices into the existing space at Metro's headquarters, said Lynn Bowersox, managing director of public relations.

That meant taking down moveable metal walls, then replacing 10-year-old carpet squares, she said. The agency did get some furniture from storage to fill the new offices, she said, but bought a new sofa and two new chairs for the office's common area.

Bowersox estimated the reconfiguration and furniture cost just under $30,000.

And the department bought three Apple computers and monitors for approximately $9,875, she said.

"These expenses were covered within our existing budget for the department and provide the space and tools we need to improve communications with our customers, stakeholders and employees," Bowersox wrote in an email.

kweir@washingtonexaminer.com

Source: http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/09/metro-spends-nearly-40k-communications-office-upgrades

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