Council approves 10-year lease for "Spark Surprise" business hub at Elm Street

The Surprise City Council on Tuesday approved Resolution 2025-39, authorizing a 10-year lease with SimonCRE for an Elm Street storefront intended as a new business development hub to be branded Spark Surprise. The council voted unanimously to approve the lease, described in staff materials as an approximately $174,000 annual, triple-net agreement with a 3 percent annual escalator.

Staff presenters called the Elm Street site a smaller, more program-focused version of the city’s prior Techcelerator facility. "Investing in small businesses isn't about create just about creating jobs. It's about building a city where innovation thrives and where dreamers have the resources to turn their ideas into reality," said Brian Sandusky, a city staff presenter. Janine (last name not specified), who co-presented, described the plan as an "organically grown program" that will rely on local mentors, students and partner organizations such as…