The Chamber of Commerce is moving forward with plans to renovate and expand its current office building.

In a prepared press released March 8, Chamber CEO Scott Soldat-Valenzuela said the business organization purchased an adjacent lot for $70,000, chose an architect and selected a contractor for the project.

Greg Zimmerman was chosen as the architect for the proposed Chamber facility that will expand the current space by 4,500 square feet.

The Chamber owns the existing two-story, 5,400-square-foot building at 16837 Palisades Blvd. at the intersection with N. Verde River Drive.

The structure, built in 1998, consists of a tourism welcome center staffed by volunteers; staff offices, a pair of conference rooms and a small kitchen.

Soldat-Valenzuela said the building refurbishing/expansion will allow for additional services including co-working space, new marketing opportunities, educational resources, short/long-term leasing and varied meeting spaces.

The board of directors has retained Dennis Brown of Echelon Buildings as the project contractor.

The press release did not mention the approximate cost of the project, the source of the funding or construction timetable.

Soldat-Valenzuela said the board has been working on the concept for the past year after reversing a decision to move into Park Place’s retail space.

“We began the planning process by digging deep in the minds of business people to see what people want out of our Chamber,” he said. “We are looking for a more vibrant, more engaged Chamber for area business people and the community.”

Soldat-Valenzuela, who became president and CEO four years ago, said he has brought the Chamber into the spotlight with a new outlook on business, new logo and new attitude.

The majority of the Chamber’s revenue comes from the two major arts and crafts festivals in November and February, and is supplemented by membership dues.