Disability Resources to move, expand

When Disability Resources went shopping for a location where it could expand, it didn't need much.

Just retail and warehouse space for its New2u Computers operation, which refurbishes donated computer gear. The equipment then is given to people with disabilities or sold to businesses and other customers.

And an office where the Disability Resources staff of about 100 employees can provide services that range from development of employment opportunities to training in basic living skills for people with disabilities.

And it needed to be on a bus line.

And it needed to be affordable for the nonprofit.

And finally, Executive Director Dana MacDonald says, she absolutely wanted out of the flood zone.

"I sandbagged our office every single winter for five years," MacDonald says.

After two years of working with Colliers International brokers Aaron Somer and Mike McCabe, physical walk-throughs of 25 buildings and online examination of dozens more, Disability Resources this month moves into 13,000 square feet at 50 Greg St.

The location nearly doubles the 7,000 square feet the agency now occupies at 155 Glendale. That space, MacDonald says, is so tight that four staffers share 10-by-12 foot offices and computer components donated to New2u are stacked wherever there's a vacant square foot.

Trainor & Associates of Sparks, owner of the building, provided what MacDonald called "generous" terms on the lease.

She said, too, that Disability Resources has been preparing financially for the move, which is scheduled for completion by July 6.

"We've been setting money aside for four years," she says. "We're very careful about our expenses."