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Orange County Space Needs Report ~ 2005 Update <br /> Page 34 of 69 <br /> Department Name : Social Services (Whitted ) <br /> Project Development Phase : Tier 3A <br /> Current Location : Whitted Human Services Building , Hillsborough <br /> Current Departmental Square Footage : 11 , 583 <br /> Current # Employees : 83 <br /> Proposed Square Footage : 19 , 612 ( plus 30 % Circulation factor) <br /> Options to accommodate space needs : <br /> Option # 1 : <br /> This solution assumes that the Library will be relocated from the Whitted Building <br /> into an alternative location , with the exception of a cybrary/ branch library that <br /> would be left somewhere ones Re at the Whitted complex . The approximately <br /> 12 , 500 square feet currently assigned to the Library would be reassigned to DSS <br /> and Health . Consideration could also be given to constructing a mezzanine floor <br /> over the current library , thereby increasing the building size by approximately <br /> 23 % within the same building envelope , However , an analysis of the building <br /> structure is warranted before the mezzanine option is seriously considered . <br /> As was discussed with the Health Department option above , it may be advisable <br /> to also create an addition between the two buildings that would allow the 2010 <br /> space requirements to be met , but as importantly would create a better flow <br /> between the two buildings . For example , the addition could be constructed to <br /> serve as the new main entrance to the building , incorporating multi - department <br /> reception areas therein . Since the elevator would also be located in this space , <br /> client flow would be enhanced considerably . <br /> Option # 2 : The human services function is likely to continue its consistent growth <br /> for the foreseeable future . Long-term and likely well beyond the study period , <br /> consideration should be given to relocating the human services function entirely <br /> to the new county campus . <br /> Social Services offices located in the Whitted Building continue to be <br /> overcrowded . Even with a public assistance unit being relocated to the Southern <br /> Human Services Center to meet service demands in the southern portion of the <br /> county , " doubling up" in offices at the Whitted Building is still required . Public <br /> assistance services continue to escalate . For example , food stamp cases from <br /> July 2000 through July 2004 have risen by 60 % . Medicaid cases for the same <br /> period have increased by 28 % . <br /> 34 <br />