The worst state office building in Sacramento

California state government’s recent survey of the buildings it owns ranked them for physical condition – the ratio of repair costs to replacement costs – and safety. None of the Sacramento buildings’ scores fell into the “very poor” range, but we’ve focused in this series on five that are listed as “poor,” meaning they will need large-scale renovation soon.

The windows at California’s Resources Building have a foggy glaze, and that shouldn’t be surprising – a state study says they haven’t been washed in more than 10 years, a wait nine years longer than most other state windows have endured after a drought-related washing moratorium.

According to Department of General Services spokesman Brian Ferguson, the crane-like device used for cleaning them is broken.

The Resources Building is the worst state structure in Sacramento, according to the study, which was commissioned under state law. At 1416 9th Street, the building houses departments of California’s Natural Resources Agency, including Parks and Recreation, Water Resources and others.

The building could have scored first in part because it’s the tallest in the top-five group and also the one with the most occupants, both factors in the study’s formula for measuring safety. But it has other safety issues, too: It’s one of only two buildings in the top five for which the report recommends asbestos and lead paint removal.

Even without considering safety, Resources still ranks at the top of the list. With $148,827,594 needed for repairs in the next 12 months, the building has the highest ratio of repair costs to replacement value for any of the facilities considered.

This story was originally published August 21, 2015 at 3:32 PM.