Lee County OKs lease for property appraiser to move downtown office to former CenturyLink building
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Summary
The Board approved a lease and capital funding transfer to relocate the property appraiser’s office to the former CenturyLink (Lumen) building in downtown Fort Myers, citing space limits at the Melvin Morgan complex, a negotiated right of first refusal, and a plan to keep near‑term capital outlay under $5 million.
The Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to authorize a lease and associated capital funding transfer allowing the property appraiser’s office to relocate to the former CenturyLink (now Lumen) office tower in downtown Fort Myers.
Property Appraiser Matt Cola told commissioners the office is constrained by the aging Melvin Morgan complex, pointing to legacy electrical and mechanical systems and limited workspace. Cola said the county negotiated a lease for about 31,000 square feet in the Lumen office tower, which includes a roughly 100‑space parking lot. The lease is structured as a five‑year statutory term with three optional five‑year renewals, giving effective control for up to 20 years. Rent is $12 per square foot with a 3% annual escalator, Cola said.
Cola and his construction team described the near‑term capital work as tenant improvements to deliver a gray‑shell facility: mechanical and electrical upgrades and storm‑rated storefronts represent the biggest line items. A county construction representative estimated the mechanical and electrical work at about $1,000,000 and the impact‑rated storefront work at roughly $400,000 — about $1.5 million of the up‑front capital request. Cola told the board he expects net capital outlay to remain below $5 million and estimated total cash outlay over the 20‑year window (rent, escalators and capital) around $15,000,000 — less than his presented new‑construction comparison.
Cola emphasized public access planning: he said county staff have discussed permanent on‑street parking immediately in front of the lobby door and that daily on‑street availability on Lee Street should provide short‑term public spaces. The lease includes a negotiated right of first refusal so the county has the first opportunity to purchase the property should the owner market it.
Commissioners pressed on cost breakdowns, flood and storm hardening for storefronts, and whether the move would require additional county budget placeholders. Cola said some allowances (for tile/terrazzo restoration, server room work and parking lot milling/resurfacing) may come in under budget and that the lease‑plus‑tenant‑improvement option is more cost‑effective than building new or securing scarce downtown white‑shell space with parking.
After questions, Speaker 15 moved approval and Speaker 5 seconded; the motion carried with no recorded objection. The board authorized the lease and the transfer of funding to the board support capital fund to cover the tenant‑improvement and related costs.
Next steps: staff will finalize tenant‑improvement drawings, clarify landlord versus tenant responsibilities for fire‑alarm and other systems, complete any required historic or storefront approvals, and return if additional funding is required for items not covered in the current allowances.
