The renovated “gem of the city” is shining again and is filling
up fast with businesses wanting to be a part of the majesty of Old
City Hall.
Four tenants are in Old City Hall, two prospective tenants are
currently negotiating leases and one more is looking at space,
explained the project coordinator on Wednesday.
“We’re pretty happy with that,” said Debbie Huston of the Office
of Economic and Community Development, who has been coordinating
the renovation efforts of the city’s best-known landmark for about
a decade.
“There is about 11,000 square feet in the building,” she said.
“We are currently under lease for about 5,300 square feet.”
Huston explained it includes Dr. John Addis, psychologist, on
the second floor, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network with both
Steve Grillo and Adam Jack on the third floor and Dr. Brian Volpe,
dentist, on the fourth floor. The leases have been “right around
seven years” in length.
“We are currently negotiating for two more tenants for second
floor space,” she said. “It looks like those two are proceeding on
(to leases).”
She said she’s hopeful that in a few weeks time she will have
negotiated something with the interested parties.
And she had a meeting scheduled Wednesday afternoon with another
prospective tenant who is interested in third floor space.
“If and when that occurs, the only space we will have left is
the first floor and the annex,” she said. “If those tenants sign
leases, we will be 75 percent occupied.”
Huston explained that Addis moved in on Jan. 1 while renovations
were still ongoing in other parts of the building. On Feb. 1,
Grillo and Jack moved in.
“Renovations ended some time in February,” she said. “We had the
formal dedication Feb. 20. Since the dedication, things have been
progressing.”
The tenants already in the building and those who are in
negotiations have one thing in common – “they absolutely love it,”
Huston said.
“A lot of people were in the building prior to the renovation
for the art show or the haunted house. And they absolutely love
it,” she reiterated. “They are amazed.”
The total restoration of the historic building impresses those
who come to see it, she explained.
“They can’t believe how the woodwork has been restored and how
well constructed the renovations are,” Huston said. “To have worked
on the project for so long … it’s wonderful to see businesses
working out of there.
“They are as proud to be a part of it as we are.”
