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Tuesday, the Franklin County Commissioners unanimously approved a lease agreement with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation to relocate the County’s Economic Development and Planning Departments to the Lazarus Building, the country’s largest LEED certified building for core and shell rehabilitation.
Commissioners noted that the locations of central Ohio’s economic development organizations are fragmented and in a number of locations.
“A move to the Lazarus Building allows the County to team up with other organizations every day to work together on economic development and job creation issues for the benefit of our entire community,” said Commission President Mary Jo Kilroy. “Franklin County is committed and unified in our efforts to create jobs, facilitate existing business growth and attract new companies to our community. Nothing illustrates that better than this relocation.”
Currently, Franklin County, the city of Columbus, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Capital South Redevelopment Corporation, and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation have all made decisions to relocate to the building, in order to cluster critical development services.
“Supporting ‘green’ redevelopment and the building of a stronger public-private economic development team are two goals achieved through this move,” said Commissioner Paula Brooks. “I look forward to strengthening both sustainable redevelopment in central Ohio and the economy in coming years.”
Formerly the Lazarus Department Store, the building is a clear choice for the region’s major economic development and planning groups to consider as a “one-stop” location where companies seeking to expand current operation’s, relocate or start new operations could easily gather information from every level of government in the region.
Commissioner Marilyn Brown stated, “I am thrilled about this collaboration and opportunity to share information. By being in the same building, we will be able to create a synergy among our economic development organizations and maximize the services provided to our residents and current and future businesses.
The lease, approved by Commissioners today, will allow Franklin County to occupy 8,244 square-feet of office space and utilize an additional 542 square-feet of storage space. The annual base rent for the first year shall be $126,864 which consists of $122,832 for office space and $4,032 for storage space.
The Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department expects to move into the new location in 2008.
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