The proposed lease agreement with the Savannah Airport Commission is for a 5,000-square-foot facility for use as a police sub-station. The facility is located at 1150 Armstead Road just off Dean Forest Road near the old airport terminal. The intent is to use this facility to provide office, restroom, and break-room space for officers patrolling in the northwest sector of the City. These officers will be stationed at the Downtown Precinct located on Lathrop Avenue.

The Airport Commission facility is an on-grade metal building that was formerly used to transition prisoners back into the workplace. It has existing offices, bathrooms, showers, meeting rooms, and more. The facility has been idle for several years, and the City will perform general clean-up and paint work. The Airport Commission will cut and trim the landscaping of the grounds and provide additional off-site parking as needed.   

The property is included in future airport expansion plans, which could occur during the next two to five years. Therefore, the lease is for a one-year term that will automatically renew on a month-to-month basis unless either party terminates with at least 60 days notice. The lease rate is $4.00 per square foot, equating to $20,000.00 per year. The City will also pay utility and interior maintenance/janitorial costs. Once power is turned on to the facility, staff will inspect the condition of the air conditioning and electrical systems. The Airport Commission will allow the City to enter the premises earlier than the commencement in order to perform painting, clean-up, IT-related wiring, and other minor tasks.

The proposed lease agreement attached to this agenda item has been modified since the original posting to indicate that the facility's air conditioning system is being evaluated. If the City of Savannah needs to replace the system, then the City would receive a rent credit of $833 per month (50 percent of the contract rent) until the cost of the replacement is recovered. 

The facility will help the City meet current needs associated with creation of the Savannah Police Department until a longer-term solution can be identified and secured. The lease has been reviewed by the Real Property Services Department and the City Attorney's Office.

Approval