Members approve purchase of 349 South Washington Street; state motor vehicle office expected to remain as tenant

Members at the meeting voted unanimously to acquire the property at 349 South Washington Street, described in the meeting as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles building.

A board member introduced the item, saying the city plans to buy the property "for an average of 2 appraisals." The speaker said the building is occupied by the State of Indiana and added, "We expect that the tenant, the state of Indiana, will remain there for the foreseeable future." The same speaker noted the city would need to own the parcel because it is surrounded by other city-owned properties.

Staff and other members discussed the lease situation. One board member said, "They have odd leases. They tend to stay all the time, but they have an easy out all the time," indicating the state's leases provide an exit option. Staff said the State of Indiana pays relatively generous rent and is the only motor-vehicle office on the south side. Greg, a staff member, said he understood the state was looking at adding space for another kiosk and that, if the city acquires the building, the GCDC would act as landlord "similar to what we do with the post office or the bank up here." The meeting record also noted that the tenant's hours align with city event needs because the office is closed when certain events occur.

A motion to accept the purchase was moved and seconded; the motion passed by unanimous vote. No purchase price was stated in the discussion on the record, and no conditions or contingencies were recorded in the transcript.