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City of South Bend <br /> Legal <br /> <br />Excellence <br />Accountability <br />Innovation <br />Inclusion <br />Empowerment <br />Visit <br />County-City Building <br />227 W Jefferson Blvd, Suite 1200 S <br />South Bend, IN 46601 <br />Phone <br />(574) 235-9241 <br /> <br />Email: jdorbin@southbendin.gov <br />Website: Southbendin.gov <br /> <br />Memorandum <br />To: Board of Public Works, Theresa Heffner, Michael Schmidt, Jenna Throw <br />From: John W. Dorbin, Jr., Assistant City Attorney <br />Subject: Human Rights Commission: Professional Office Space Lease <br />Suite 801: 4,795 square feet, Key Bank Tower, 202 S. Michigan Street <br /> <br />Date: November 18, 2024 <br /> <br />The Human Rights Commission’s current offices are located at the Michiana Eye Center building. The <br />facilities are 2,975 square feet of professional office space, consisting of 8 offices and a conference room, <br />located at 319 N. Niles Avenue. That lease has expired and the HRC is currently in month-to-month <br />holdover status. <br /> <br />The City negotiated with the current landlord and cross shopped other available offices. The outcome of <br />that process was the negotiation of the lease before you, Suite 801 in the Key Bank Building. This suite is <br />4,795 square feet of professional office space, consisting of 10 offices and two conference rooms, with <br />some additional features the current space does not offer. <br /> <br />Because the leases are structured differently (one is a traditional lease with rent plus common area <br />maintenance charge, [“CAM”] and the other a full-service gross lease) the best comparison is the projected <br />“all in” costs for each space, which includes such things as rent, cleaning, security, utilities, etc... On that <br />basis, the projected all in costs are within $380 per month when comparing the current space at the Eye <br />Center to Suite 801. <br /> <br />Rent for Suite 801 is fixed at $5,300 for the first two years and $5,618 per month for year three. The lease <br />contains an option for the City to renew for an additional 24 months thereafter, if it wishes. <br /> <br />Suite 801 is preferred over renewal of the current offices for the following reasons: <br /> <br />• Two more offices and one more conference room, plus space for two cubicles, ensuring sufficient <br />workspace for all employees and visitors, without the need for office sharing. <br /> <br />• Limited access (code) bathrooms compared to bathrooms open to the public. <br /> <br />• Locking file storage room, eliminating the need to store files in offices and hallways, some <br />unsecured. <br /> <br />• Separate break room/kitchenette with a sink for employee use. <br /> <br />• Connected to the future City Hall building by elevated walkway, providing a convenient and <br />centralized access for citizens and City employees.