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Date: |
October 27, 2026 |
08 |
Title
General Services - Approve New Lease for San Diego County District Attorney and CEQA Notice of Exemption (District: 1)
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Overview
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office (DAO) Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division is responsible for prosecuting a wide variety of crimes. One of the units within the Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division is the Computer and Technology Crimes High Tech Task Force (CATCH), which is a multi-agency task force formed to apprehend and prosecute criminals who use technology to commit crimes. CATCH combines local, State, and federal law enforcement agencies from San Diego and Riverside counties.
On November 7, 2023 (4), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved a plan presented by the DAO for use of Proposition 64 funds to expand consumer protection activities in several areas which would require additional staff. Since its formation in 2000, CATCH has operated from the DAO’s central office at the Hall of Justice, but they have outgrown the space and there is no room for expansion. The Department of General Services (DGS) conducted a space validation that supports the need for 13,661 square feet of office space, and on March 3, 2026 (06), the Board approved in principle the lease of a new space for the DAO.
Staff from DGS have negotiated a new lease at 550 West C Street, San Diego, CA, 92101, to accommodate the Consumer Protection facility, which will house CATCH and support the broader expansion of the Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division. The lease term is 10 years and includes one five-year option to further extend the term. Today’s request is for Board authority to execute the proposed lease.
Body
Recommendations by Chief Administrative Officer:
1) Find the proposed lease for San Diego County District Attorney at 550 West C Street, San Diego, is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 and 15311.
2) Approve and authorize the Director, Department of General Services, or designee, to execute the lease with 550 Corporate Owner LLC for office space located at 550 West C Street, San Diego.
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Equity Impact Statement
It is anticipated that the proposed lease for the District Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division will contribute positively to the community by limiting threats throughout the county through a multi-agency task force used to combat high-tech crimes.
Sustainability Impact Statement
Implementing effective sustainability objectives is crucial to ensuring safe and healthy communities and contributing to the overall success of the region. The proposed lease for the District Attorney's Consumer Fraud Protection Program supports the County of San Diego's Strategic Plan Sustainability Initiative by providing the necessary facilities and resources to deliver consumer protection services that promote economic stability, protect residents from financial harm, and support the long-term well-being of the community.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Operational Plan for the San Diego County District Attorney (DAO). If approved, this request will result in no additional costs in the current FY and lease costs of $594,192 will be included in the District Attorney’s FY 2027-28 Operational Plan based on an estimated commencement date of July 1, 2027. Funds for the remaining lease term and each option year, if exercised, will be included in future operational plans for DAO. The funding source is Proposition 64 Consumer Fraud Fund. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
Business Impact Statement
N/A
Advisory Board Statement
N/A
Background
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office (DAO) Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division is responsible for prosecuting a wide variety of crimes, including computer intrusion, identity theft, investment scams, embezzlements, real estate matters, counterfeit goods, environmental crimes and the theft of public assistance funds. The division also acts to protect consumers and businesses by successfully filing numerous civil cases to prohibit unfair business practices within the marketplace. One of the units within the Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division is the Computer and Technology Crimes High Tech Task Force (CATCH), which is a multi-agency task force formed to apprehend and prosecute criminals who use technology to commit crimes. High-tech crime investigation requires information sharing and cooperation among all levels of government across traditional jurisdictional boundaries. Consequently, CATCH was formed combining local, State, and federal law enforcement agencies from San Diego and Riverside counties.
On November 7, 2023 (04), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved a strategic plan presented by the DAO to use Proposition 64 funds for consumer protection law enforcement including expanded cyber-crimes investigations and forensics. Additional staff and competitive procurements were approved to support these activities. Since its formation in 2000, CATCH has operated from the DAO’s central office at the Hall of Justice, but they have outgrown the space and there is no room for expansion. Additionally, there are no vacant County-owned or leased facilities that meet the program’s requirements.
The Department of General Services (DGS) conducted a space validation that supports the need for 13,661 square feet of office space, and on March 3, 2026 (06), the Board approved in principle the lease of office space for this purpose.
Staff from DGS have negotiated a new lease at 550 West C Street, San Diego, CA, 92101, to accommodate the Consumer Protection facility, which will house CATCH and support the broader expansion of the Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division. The lease term is ten years and includes one five-year option to further extend the term. The lease also provides a tenant improvement allowance of $1,017,450 from the landlord for County-directed improvements. Further details of the proposed lease are provided below:
|
Lease Provision |
Proposed Lease |
|
Lessor |
550 Corporate Owner LLC |
|
Premises |
13,566 square feet of space located at 550 West C Street |
|
Term |
10 years |
|
Options to Extend |
One five-year option |
|
Early Termination |
None |
|
Rent Adjustments |
3% annual increase |
|
Utilities |
Lessor pays |
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Custodial |
Lessor pays |
|
Maintenance |
Lessor pays |
|
Monthly Occupancy Cost Rent Utilities Custodial Maintenance Total Monthly Occupancy Cost |
$49,516 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $49,516 ($3.65/sq. ft.) |
Environmental Statement
The proposed lease for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines because it involves leasing space within an existing office building for general office and administrative use along with interior and exterior alterations to an existing building that do not expand upon the existing building’s use. Additionally, the proposed lease is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15311, Accessory Structures, as the lease authorizes the installation of on-premises signage that is an accessory to the existing office building and use. No exceptions listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to the project. See Attachment A for the Notice of Exemption.
Linkage To The County Of San Diego Strategic Plan
Today’s proposed action to approve the lease for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office supports the Community Initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan by providing services that support safe communities.
Respectfully submitted,
Ebony N. Shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment(s)
Attachment A - San Diego County District Attorney Lease Notice of Exemption