Metro Vancouver is preparing to move to its new $205-million digs. The regional government is asking for bids for interior design and relocation planning to assist in the transfer of its head office to Metrotower III in Burnaby’s Metrotown commercial centre. The two requests for proposals close on January 21.

Last December, Metro Vancouver announced its acquisition from Ivanhoé Cambridge of the 29-storey building, which opened in 2014. The purchase was approved by its board, which is composed of elected civic politicians from 21 municipalities, Electoral Area A, and the Tsawwassen First Nation.

“There’s a considerable amount of up-front work involved in coordinating the logistics around the move, but it has already commenced,” regional district spokesperson Don Bradley told the Georgia Straight in a phone interview.

Metro Vancouver will sell its current head-office complex, two adjacent buildings at 4330 Kingsway and 5945 Kathleen Avenue in Burnaby. The assessed value of the properties is $82.5 million. The regional district’s headquarters have been housed in this location for the past 30 years. The properties are not yet on the market.

“Metro Vancouver has not yet determined who will sell its existing head-office complex and may undertake to sell the buildings itself,” Bradley said.

According to Bradley, the regional government has about 800 staff. “A specific date to relocate Metro Vancouver’s operations and workforce has not yet been determined,” he said. “However, it’s anticipated that staff will move into Metrotower III within the next 12 or 13 months. The date will be specific after required work-space design and relocation plans have been completed.”

Ivanhoé Cambridge will manage Metrotower III for the regional district. The new head office will occupy 13 floors. The remaining floors will be leased to tenants, and seven are occupied.

Metro Vancouver expects to save $1 million in annual operating costs in Metrotower III compared to the option of staying at its old location. -