URrelay Inc. moving to renovated Greedy building

More than a year after floodwaters displaced it, URrelay Inc. is preparing to settle into its permanent home at 3117 First Ave. SE.

The company, which provides Internet-based relay communications for the deaf and hearing-impaired, will move this weekend to the former Greedy building.

“We have completely renovated the building, including new energy-efficient windows, a new roof, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, plumbing and electrical service,” said Bill McClelland, URrelay partner and chief operating officer. “We also made some improvements to the parking lot, allowing us to have more than 70 parking spaces for our employees and guests.”

The 83-year-old, 23,000-square-foot structure was originally used as a bindery for bank ledgers. By 1950, it was a farm implement dealer. Since then, it has housed a grocery store, two furniture stores and manufacturing operations for Collins Radio, the predecessor to Rockwell Collins. Most recently, the building housed Kenwood House before it was sold to McGregor Furniture.

URrelay, which employs about 100 people, will occupy most of the building. McClelland said the company expects to hire between 20 and 30 additional employees over the next four months to meet call center demand.

The call center, which is the heart of the 24-hour operation, is located in the center of the building. Skylights uncovered when ceiling tiles were removed during the renovation will provide ambient light for the center.

URrelay's administrative offices, break room, conference room and computer servers are located around the perimeter of the building.

URrelay has been leasing space in the Collins Road Square shopping center at 1412 Twixt Town Rd. in Marion. Using the former furniture store has presented some challenges that will be remedied with the company's permanent home, according to McClelland.

“Right now, guests have to walk through the call center, where the communications are confidential,” McClelland said. “With our new building, they can meet with us without having to enter the call center.

“We have been using the loading dock area as our break room. The break room in our new building will be spacious and has been designed to accommodate anyone with disabilities.”

The call center at the new building will be staffed when URrelay's phone lines are switched over at 2 a.m. Saturday. Ben Dudley, partner and chief technology officer, said anyone using URrelay's services during the transition will not notice any changes.

“This will be the third time that we've moved since the flood,” Dudley said. “We expect it will be our last move.”