City staff told the Growth Fund committee on June 23 that GE Vernova (formerly LM Wind Power) requested permission to expand a city‑owned building at 1550 South 40 Eighth Street to add specialized "bump outs" used in handling long turbine blades. Because the structure is a public building, the city said the work must proceed through public contracting, bidding and legal review rather than a direct private construction arrangement.

Staff proposed three actions to the committee: (1) authorize contracting with the city’s architectural/engineering provider to develop plan specifications and bid documents for the expansion; (2) authorize issuing construction bids under the public process; and (3) authorize staff to review and negotiate a potential lease modification or separate agreement that would assign construction costs to the tenant. Committee staff said GE Vernova has expressed willingness to pay construction costs and that staff intends to negotiate an agreement that passes those costs through to the company, though the city may initially front construction and then bill GE Vernova as part of a reimbursement or lease amendment.

Committee members discussed conflict‑of‑interest concerns from one member who works for GE Vernova; that member stated they have no financial interest in the company and were permitted to vote. Committee discussion also covered whether the city should consider selling the building to the company or another owner to reduce future approvals for similar expansions; staff said the city is exploring sales or ownership transfer options but that, for now, public contracting and possible pass‑through arrangements are the correct approach.

The committee authorized the design, bidding and negotiation steps and approved any necessary budget amendments; the motion passed unanimously.