Department Seeks 30,000-SF, One-Floor Office

ST. PAUL-The city’s new Department of Safety and Inspections is searching for 30,000 sf of office where it can consolidate its two offices, preferably on one floor, in the Downtown or the suburbs. Twelve locations have been proposed in the answer to a request for proposal, and the city council will hear a recommendation by March 6, department director Bob Kessler tells GlobeSt.com.

He says he can’t reveal the names of the companies or buildings suggested, but confirmed that a few of the companies represent properties such as Metro Square, Wells Fargo Place and Hillcrest Center. The department currently pays $425,000 annually for about 30,000 sf at two Downtown buildings, including its three-year, 15,000-sf lease for its main offices at the 12-story Commerce Building at 8 E. Fourth St.

The department is being formed from the consolidation of the Office of Licensing, Fire Inspection, Code and Enforcement and a new division of Information and Complaints. “We rely on the public to let us know where the problems are, we get about 2,000 complaints a month, and can track them by computer to find out how they’re being attended,” Kessler says.