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the facility would entail structural work (windows, for example), which would <br /> be expensive to replace to the original condition. <br /> Renovate approximately 30,000 square feet of the 59,000 square feet in <br /> Whitted Building for Health Department operations; <br /> Add approximately 25,000 square feet at SHSC in order to allow the <br /> following allocation of space: <br /> o DSS retains existing space at SHSC (10,000 sf) <br /> o SHSC addition for Health (about 25,000 sf) <br /> o Includes 10,000 S.F. still retained by DSS plus the 8,000 space deficit cited <br /> by Health making a total of 18,000 additional S.F. for Health <br /> - No space for DSS after the 10-year lease period (2018) is specified in this option. <br /> Presumably the lease would be renewed or new space would be constructed. If the <br /> Board opted to renew the lease, the Landlord has previously quoted a cost of$729,456 <br /> ($364,728 w/State reimbursement) per year for years 11-15. If the Board opted to <br /> construct a new 50,000 square foot facility to replace the leased premises, the cost <br /> estimates would be commensurate with the 2017 development cost cited in Option C. <br /> Staff is recommending Option A, which includes the lease/purchase of the old Wal-Mart <br /> facility. <br /> The County would negotiate to lease the facility immediately, with an option to purchase <br /> the facility in 2012. Option A also includes a 15,000 square foot addition at the Southern <br /> Human Services Center. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Joe Robbins, Chair of the Social Services Board, asked the Board to move with <br /> appropriate haste on this issue. He read the letter from him to the Board dated February 18, <br /> 2008, shown below: <br /> Dear Commissioner Jacobs: <br /> Our Board has continued to follow the discussion about space alternatives for human services <br /> by the Board of County Commissioners. After reviewing all the options being discussed by the <br /> Commissioners we would like to reiterate our support of Option A, the lease-purchase and <br /> complete renovation of the former Wal-Mart site in Hillsborough. We have reviewed the <br /> additional Option D and have the following concerns about this option: <br /> This option appears to have no plan beyond the period of the lease. Since <br /> none of the lease payments would be applied to purchase of the building, it <br /> would appear that Social Services would not have space at the end of the lease <br /> period. No other funds are identified to pay for DSS space after that time. <br /> It is our understanding that under the lease agreement the landlord would only <br /> allow the most basic upfit of the building. We believe that Department of Social <br /> Services requires additional renovation including sustainability and design <br /> features. We strongly believe that once we are relocated, that this will be the <br /> service delivery site for us in northern Orange County for the foreseeable <br /> future. Given those assumptions, it is critical that the space be initially <br /> deisgned and renovated appropriately. <br />