St. Paul weighs consolidating some downtown offices at Osborn 370 building

The city of St Paul plans to lease more than square feet within the Osborn building on Wabasha Street covering the building s entire ninth floor for eight years What will that square footage be used for Therein lies the question The lease at Fifth St E approved Wednesday by the St Paul City Council allows for flexible move-in dates and below-market rates with the first months rent-free That gives the city several time to complete a space use investigation with the help of real estate consultants who will attempt to determine which city offices will make best use of the new floor and in what manner It might become collaborative work space for the city to engage with private sector partners or it may patronage departments with space shortages such as the city attorney s office It also may be used as upgraded space for staff committed to working downtown more than three days per week mentioned Bruce Engelbrekt the city s real estate manager addressing the city council on Wednesday City offices With several office staff on a hybrid work schedule St Paul Mayor Melvin Carter floated the idea last year of clearing out the downtown City Hall Annex building on Fourth Street and converting the property into residences which remains a possibility We re trying to think strategically about how to use our purchasing power and people power to help be part of the response reported Council President Rebecca Noecker City offices are largely but not exclusively spread throughout the City Hall Ramsey County Courthouse building at West Kellogg Blvd and the annex building directly across the street The city s Department of Safety and Inspections works out of a building on Jackson Street which is owned by Madison Equities an embattled downtown property owner that has in recent weeks lost control of specific of its buildings to foreclosure and receivership Minimal upfront investments The inquiry likely will at least touch on library staff based at the downtown George Latimer Central Library We have a question into the consultants whether the mayor s office and the city council offices should be part of the evaluation because of your need to be located in this building Engelbrekt noted We need to specifically look at those offices that have selected space demands Council Member Cheniqua Johnson noted Osborn has developed a positive reputation downtown drawing notable tenants such as the St Paul and Minnesota Foundation The Osborn floor is partially furnished allowing minimal up-front financing to move and establish operations according to the council resolution approved Wednesday Related Articles St Paul s Maxfield Elementary breaks ground on society schoolyard Ex-teacher of Hmong College Prep Academy in St Paul sentenced for criminal sexual conduct with novice Four candidates file for Ward seat on the St Paul City Council Canadian wildfire smoke causes very unhealthy conditions in American Midwest and reaches Europe St Paul street lights stripped of copper wiring though reports are down overall