/ Making Space Through Digitization
The port is entering its final phases of major renovations to its North Administration Building. From a more efficient roof, the addition of EV chargers, all-electric ventilation system, bird-friendly glass, new siding, paint and more, it’s the most significant transformation to the facility in a generation.
Yet one of the most dramatic changes happened behind the scenes with efficient space planning updates.
For decades, the port maintained a dedicated records room to house archival documents, plans and historical records. The space occupied approximately 915 square feet and contained thousands of paper files accumulated over the port’s 113-year history.
To support the remodel and make more efficient use of existing space, the port undertook a significant records digitization effort. More than 970,000 pages of archival records were scanned and added to the port’s online records center, making documents more accessible while reducing the need for physical storage. An additional 277,500 pages of unneeded records were responsibly recycled.
The result is a records room that now occupies just 116 square feet, a reduction of more than 87 percent. The space reclaimed through digitization has been repurposed to better support today’s workplace needs, including the creation of additional office spaces and a new meeting room for collaboration.
The project also supported the port’s sustainability goals. By reducing paper storage requirements, recycling obsolete documents and working with a local vendor to coordinate document pickup and destruction, the port minimized waste and transportation impacts throughout the process.
While the physical records room is much smaller today, efforts to digitize archived documents continue. While this is just one example of the office remodel’s efficient use of space, the work reflects the port’s commitment to finding practical ways to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impacts and make the most of existing facilities as it builds for the future.
