Committee on Housing and Real Estate meeting, December 5, 2023
- When: Tue, Dec 5, 2023, 9:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Housing and Real Estate
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928563/video/891170281
- Transcript: full text (12,130 words, official captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Housing and Real Estate approved its Rule 45 report and took up its single item, a third amendment to the city's lease at 2 North LaSalle Street to provide office space for the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability and the Department of Environment. Department of Assets, Information and Services staff described the rent terms, free temporary space on the 16th floor and comparisons to downtown market rates, and representatives of both departments described their current lack of workspace. Members raised concerns about the 15-year lease term, total lease costs, operating costs, ownership disclosure for the landlord entity and the use of vacant city-owned buildings in neighborhoods, and requested information on city leases and criteria for downtown locations. The chair stated a commitment that no additional leases would come forward without a review of leasing policy, and the committee recommended passage of the amendment by voice vote.
Topics: Office lease at 2 North LaSalle, CCPSA office space, Department of Environment, City leasing policy, Vacant city-owned buildings, Ownership disclosure, Public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 32:09 Rule 45 report from November 29, 2023: passed
- 32:31 Third amendment to lease agreement with North LaSalle Financial Associates LLC for additional space for CCPSA and Office of Climate and Environmental Equity at 2 North LaSalle Street (SO2023-0005731): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Asked about the reported $28 million cost and the 15-year lease term, and whether a shorter lease had been discussed. (39:20); Asked the CCPSA and Department of Environment to explain on the record how the lack of space affects their work, calling the lease wasteful. (40:28); Said the lease funds could have repaired vacant city buildings in her ward and that she would support the item for the departments' sake while objecting to the 15-year term. (46:54)
- Monique L. Scott (alderperson): Said departments serving communities should locate in neighborhoods rather than downtown and that she could not support the application. (53:44); Said she understood the cost was not all new spending but contrasted the rent with the limited funds for repairs in her own ward office. (56:38)
- Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Asked whether the city expanding its lease makes it less likely the building falls into financial distress. (57:01); Said neighborhoods like Logan Square lack enough aggregated commercial space for citywide departments and that a central location supports collaboration. (58:24)
- Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Asked what analysis has been done of future space needs and of space in City Hall before entering the lease. (1:17:36); Said the city needs business cases and a leasing policy reviewed by members before votes, and offered to help develop that process. (1:19:57)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Asked how often lease amendments like this occur. (1:31:00); Asked for a citywide assessment of empty public buildings and said she was not comfortable making a motion, while noting the departments need space to work. (1:32:46); Said space standards are also needed for ward offices and district councils. (1:33:57)
Exchanges between members
- 1:31:16 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth said she shared the concerns Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell had summarized.
- 1:32:46 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth expressed appreciation for the points raised by Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor and supported a citywide assessment of empty buildings.