Board approves retroactive five-year lease for DPH offices in Bayview amid concerns over limited alternatives

The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution authorizing a retroactive five-year lease for Department of Public Health (DPH) programs located in the Bayview, after DPH and city property staff described protracted negotiations and programmatic reasons for remaining in that neighborhood.

Amy Brown, the city's Director of Property, told the board the negotiated amendment would set a five-year lease term retroactive to July of the prior year and run through June of the fifth year, at a flat rate with no CPI increases during the term. Brown said it was important for programmatic reasons to keep the DPH programs in the Bayview, which has very limited office availability: she noted that in February 2008 the Bayview had approximately a 0% office vacancy rate, constraining options for relocation.

Tyrone Navarro, DPH real estate liaison, said the department had been assessing whether to consolidate programs or find alternate Bayview sites and had tried to communicate the timing to the tenant. Negotiations over terms such as carpet replacement extended the timeline, Navarro said; DPH concluded programmatic needs favored staying in the…