Lake County, which hit with a $20 million estimate to build a new election office, is looking at alternatives that can save most of the cost.
Located in a shopping centre along East Burleigh Boulevard, just south of Lake Eustis, the Tavares store is one of nearly 800 such stores that have been closed nationwide as part of the chain’s bankruptcy proceedings. According to landlord Robert Tambro, the store is currently operating as a Joan location until May 31st.
According to a report by GrowthSpotter, the terms of the lease agreement with the county include a five-year term of office with a five-year renewal option. County commissioners approved it last week, and officials are eager to start.
“My recommendation is to work on this so we can get some drawings to put the project on the streets and some real estimates to know what we’ll deal with,” said Lake County Election Superintendent Alan Hayes.
Hayes said the work of changing the building to office space for elections was not a “typical build-out” because of security measures required for county election facilities.
“We need to have either bulletproof or bullet resistant glass with some laminates and something like that,” he said. “… Hurricanes will have to use generators for standby power because hurricanes will occur during the primary season, so there are a few different things there.”
For these reasons, the county argued for terms of the lease, including allowing immediate access while Joanne still owns the building.
At a committee meeting last October, Hayes detailed why current supervisors of election spaces were insufficient to support growing businesses and advocated for new facilities.
Warehouse space at current facility – 1898 E Burleigh Blvd. – Hayes said, including two storage trailers behind the building and another 4,400 square feet of space leased elsewhere.
The current facility’s management space is also competent, with limited voter lobbies and parking spaces, and more office space needed to accommodate staff.
“We store equipment in the hallways and meeting rooms, and that’s not good,” Hayes told the commissioner last October. “At one point, some toilets had equipment stored, but that’s not good either. We’re definitely out of the room and need more space,” he said.
In January, the commissioner voted against the construction of a new election centre after learning that it would cost up to $22,075,000 to build the facility. A month later, Joann, formerly Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, announced that it would close 500 stores, including all locations in Florida, as part of the retailer’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A few weeks later, the chain said it would be completely liquidated.
Officials of the election office’s supervisors quickly saw the opportunity to occupy the Tavares store, which will be closed soon – occupying Burley Boulevard, a mile and a half west of the current location – requested approval to negotiate a lease there by March.
Hayes estimated the cost of the 20,070-square-foot Joanne store would be around $3 million for the lease improvements and specialty items.
The deal was approved 4-1 with Commissioner Anthony Sabatini as his sole opponent. Sabatini, who was elected in November, described the transaction as a “serious desire” but said it was not necessary and said it would not raise taxes to help it.
“It was a lot of details of the contract that I don’t think had any evidence-de facto basis,” he said. “We don’t need it now. The elections are doing great. We’re doing well in Lake County.”
Any tips on developing Central Florida? Please contact jwilkins@orlandosentinel.com or contact us at 407-754-4980. Follow GrowthSpotter on Facebook and LinkedIn.
