The Haines Borough is looking into how it can maximize office space in the administration building without having to add on to the structure.

Public facilities director Carlos Jimenez and Community Youth Development director Al Giddings are currently sharing a trailer sited behind the administration building. The addition of a part-time office assistant is also cramping the administration building.

Jimenez last week met with consultants from DIRTT Environmental Solutions, who visited the office free of charge to look at the space. DIRTT, based in Calgary, specializes in creating customizable and environmentally sustainable prefabricated interiors, like walls and other partitions.

“I’m trying to create another office in there,” Jimenez said.

While acting as interim manager, clerk Julie Cozzi proposed adding three offices, a new records room and an ADA-compliant assembly chambers onto the administration building. The assembly approved Cozzi’s budget, which included $35,000 for “spatial modifications” to the building.

None of that $35,000 has been spent yet, Jimenez said.

Assembly member George Campbell said though the assembly approved the budget, it ultimately nixed the idea of adding on to the building. Rearranging what is in inside to maximize existing space, though, is a different story, he said.

“Having that kind of an individual (like the DIRTT consultants) go in and do it is sometimes a good way to do it,” Campbell said. “Right now is the time to start planning if they are going to put (Jimenez) in that building.”

Jimenez said redesign work would likely include rearrangement of the entryway and the addition or subtraction of interior walls. He met last week with the employees who would be affected by layout changes.

Before moving to the trailer, Jimenez worked in the public safety building. He was temporarily located in the manager’s office during a transition between former manager Mark Earnest and David Sosa.

According to code, the trailer behind the administration building must be moved within 18 months of its installation, which was in June 2014.