Boeing Computer Services Plans New Office Buildings

BELLEVUE

Boeing Computer Services Co. is expected to start construction this August on a $7 million office building at its Bellevue headquarters complex, construction industry sources said.

The planned three-story mirrored-glass building, located in the middle of the complex on 160th Avenue Southeast, near I-90, will expand Boeing Computer Services' headquarters complex to 14 buildings, including one new building near the site that is almost completed.

The planned structure is the first of two nearly identical buildings that Boeing reportedly intends to erect in the expansion by The Boeing Co. subsidiary. Apparently, no decision has been made on timing for construction of the second building.

Although a Boeing Co. spokesman and Bellevue officials said the city has not yet approved the design plans, sources among the companies that have bid on the project said it was farther along.

Boeing spokesman Paul Binder said a decision on whether to build the building will not be made until next year, and a Bellevue planner said the city was still waiting for Boeing's response to the city's preliminary comments on its plans.

But two major contractors said the lead contractor on the project is expected to be named today from among seven that submitted bids April 16. "The Boeing Co. tells us it will be in construction in August," said one construction industry source, who asked not to be named.

The source said Lumpkin Inc. of Seattle submitted the low bid, while Baugh Construction Co., also of Seattle, came in second. The bids were opened publicly.

The source said Boeing is moving ahead with plans to build the new, 100,000-square-foot structure, despite the fact that it has not yet received a building permit.

Another source said many of Boeing's projects now are "on a fast track" as the company races to put its new 777 aircraft into production by 1994.

Construction of the new Bellevue building, identified as Boeing's 33-10 building, will initially consist simply of the building's exterior, the central elevator core and a luxury lobby. At a later date, Boeing will award a contract to finish the office spaces in the structure.

"They are going to put in a reception desk and a lobby, with beautiful marble floors," said one source.

Binder said the new buildings will house about 400 employees of Boeing Computer Services. The workers will be moved to Bellevue from Renton.