Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident raises concerns about lease at 1400 MLK; board discusses Housing Authority management and possible advocacy
Summary
A resident reported stalled negotiations over a prospective HUB center lease at 1400 MLK; board members discussed engaging the Housing Authority and preparing advocacy points for future meetings if a management-company lease renewal affects corridor revitalization.
Judith Williams, a Newtown resident and community organizer, used the public-input portion of the Jan. 9, 2025, Newtown CRA advisory board meeting to report on stalled lease negotiations for a proposed HUB center at a building on 1400 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
Why it matters: The property and how it is managed are tied to corridor revitalization, small-business activation and access to community services; the board discussed possible next steps if an existing management contract is renewed.
Williams said she has worked on securing a lease and attached a lease and letter of intent in a packet for the board. She said the space was advertised at 900 square feet at $22.22 per square foot but that the landlord later said the space was actually 721 square feet. Williams said the landlord also sought that she perform cleanup and painting and that an attorney reviewed the lease and advised her not to sign because it resembled a "triple net" commercial lease more typical of national retailers. Williams said her attorney declined to redline the agreement unless Williams paid $5,000–$7,000 for the attorney’s work, and as a result Williams said negotiations have stopped. Williams also said she received grant support (Opportunity For All, October 2024) and is participating in the Minority Business Development Agency capital readiness program.
Board members raised a separate but related concern about a Housing Authority-managed property on the MLK corridor that community members have cited as an eyesore and a barrier to leasing space to neighborhood organizations. Members recalled that the current property-management contract for that site is set to expire in late 2025 or 2026 and discussed options including inviting the Housing Authority to a board meeting, directing staff to research the renewal timeline and preparing a statement for the Housing Authority board. Wayne (staff) said he would research the timeline and that staff could draft talking points for board review if the board wants to advocate to the Housing Authority. One board member suggested sending a representative to the Housing Authority’s public meeting when the management contract is considered.
No formal action was taken; staff will follow up to determine contract timing and return with options for board advocacy or invitation to the Housing Authority.
