Fenty: Not Down With OPM

Washington DC Mayor Adrian Fenty will rename the Office of Property Management (OPM) the "Department of Real Estate Services" (DRES). While the old initials were clearly cooler and much easier on the tongue, the Fenty administration felt the old description, which "ordinarily refers to day to day management activities such as janitorial services," demeaned the agency's responsibilities. "Property management is only part of the job and the department's name need [sic] to reflect that."

OPM currently has a staff of over 300 that handles major capital projects, administers construction procurement for District agencies, and provides security and protection in public buildings. "It is only appropriate that the true scope and nature of the agency's undertakings be reflected in the agency name" said DRES Director Robin-Eve Jasper.

The mayor's office did not issue guidelines for how to verbalize the new name (pronounced "drezz" or spelled out as D-R-E-S?), but did state that the change would take effect August 1st.