Albany

Workers at the state Department of Environmental Conservation headquarters got a jump on the Memorial Day weekend Friday, but probably not in a way they were cheering about.

While employees were told only that the building was closing due to a health and safety issue, State Police later announced that the 625 Broadway high-rise was ordered closed after containers of suspected feces and urine were found throughout the building.

That prompted the State Police's Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team to conduct a search of the building which was scheduled to take several hours.

Empire State Development, the state's economic development agency, also maintains offices in the building.

State Police in a prepared statement said the material was being tested at their Forensic Investigation Center.

It's not the first time there has been some mischief in the 625 Broadway building, or problems with waste and/or toilet issues.

A couple of years ago, during an office space shuffle, some of the chairs were spiked with thumbtacks or needles apparently meant to sting those who sat down in them.

And in 2009 members of the Public Employees Federation union, which represents white collar DEC workers, filed a grievance regarding what they described as foul odor and "splashback" from waterless urinals installed there. Such urinals are considered environmentally friendly since they save water but require frequent and meticulous maintenance, including replacement of special cartridges.

According to the grievance, DEC had run afoul of contractual language protecting workers from pathogens or filth.

Other buildings have had similar problems, according to one state employee, who said there have been similar problems intermittently over the past few years at 800 N. Pearl St. where several state offices are located.

And it also happened, according to employees, years ago at the old Environmental Conservation building on Wolf Road.

rkarlin@timesunion.com • 518-454-5758 • @RickKarlinTU