DATE:
December 9, 2025
18
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
GENERAL SERVICES - APPROVE FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S CENTRAL BRANCH, 451 A STREET, SAN DIEGO AND NOTICE OF EXEMPTION (DISTRICT: 1)
Body
OVERVIEW
The San Diego County Public Defender (PD) has operated its Central Branch, located at 451 A Street, San Diego, since 2010. The existing lease for approximately 92,303 square feet of office space was approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on March 23, 2010 (14) and expires on September 30, 2026. In Fiscal Year 2022-23, PD added 90 positions, increasing staffing in all branches with a large allocation of new staff assigned to the Central Branch. The current lease premises does not accommodate the additional staff. The Department of General Services (DGS) conducted a space validation study that supports the need for 106,776 square feet of space for Central Branch operations.
Staff from DGS have negotiated a first amendment to the lease agreement that will extend the term by seven years and five months, with two consecutive options of five years each. The proposed amendment includes an expansion of 14,473 square feet and five months of rent abatement in the first year of the amendment term. Today's request is for Board approval of the first amendment to the lease agreement.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Find the proposed lease for the Public Defender is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
2. Approve and authorize the Director, Department of General Services, to execute the proposed lease amendment for the premises located at 451 A Street, San Diego.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The Public Defender's Central Branch supports the community in its current location. Extending the term of the lease would benefit the community by continuing to provide resources to a traditionally und...
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