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County to lease ground-floor space at Masonic Temple for Human Relations Commission
Summary
Council reviewed a tentative lease for office space at 24 Westgate Street (Masonic Temple) to house the newly hired Human Relations Commission director and investigators; presenters said the rent is below budget and the space offers street-level accessibility.
Erie County Council considered a tentative lease agreement with the Masonic Temple Association for office space at 24 Westgate Street to house the newly hired director of the Human Relations Commission (HRC).
A county presenter said the proposed space is ground-floor, about two blocks from the courthouse, and “looks a little under $1,400 per month,” providing a lobby, at least one conference room and office space suitable for a director and investigators. The presenter said the lease term appears to be four years and that sidewalk modifications will be made to improve accessibility.
Council members noted the rent is below what had been budgeted for similar properties and praised the street-level access and proximity to the courthouse. One member asked whether the lease language on "additional rent" had been reviewed; a legal reviewer told the council that "additional rent" typically covers utilities and services but that the draft lease did not clearly separate the general rent from additional charges and asked for a clarified exhibit describing services covered by any extra charge.
No final signed lease was recorded in the transcript excerpt; council staff said they would seek clearer itemization of additional rent charges before Tuesday’s follow-up and that amendments could be returned for council review.
