Agency on Aging building rent discussed

Charles Lapp, one of the owners of the building rented by Flathead County for the Agency on Aging, told the county commissioners on Thursday he’d like to continue that rental relationship with the county.

The Alpine Business Center, a partnership that includes Lapp, his wife Mickey and other business partners, has rented the building on Kelly Road to the Agency on Aging for a decade. The county currently pays a little over $52,000 a year, or $4,360 a month for use of the building.

 However, the Agency on Aging has outgrown the facility and county officials have begun planning for a new building at the fairgrounds that could house both the aging services and Montana State University extension agents.

“We’re somewhat starting to outgrow what we have and we’re in the very, very preliminary stage of looking at where to go,” Commissioner Dale Lauman said. “It’s not that we’re dissatisfied with the [Agency on Aging] facility. We’re doing our due diligence.”

The county began renting the front portion of the Alpine building in July 2002, and two years later expanded into the entire 7,300-square-foot facility. Initially, the rent was $2,900 a month, or 39 cents per square foot, Lapp said.

The property was annexed into Kalispell in 2006 and due to higher costs the rent was adjusted to $4,360 a month, or 60 cents per square foot.

Lapp said the going rate for commercial office space is up to $1 per square foot per month.

The county has rented the building under two-year contracts, but now rents it on a month-by-month basis.

Lapp said he’s aware of “some perceived wants” for the Alpine facility, such as expanded parking.

“If there are any big expenses we would appreciate a commitment longer than month to month,” he said.

Lapp also pointed out there’s a 1,600-square-foot building next door to the Agency on Aging — also owned by Alpine Business Center — that is available if the county needs more office space for the agency. The asking price is $650 a month, and the county could remodel it as they’d see fit.

Fairgrounds General Manager Mark Campbell has been talking to contractors about an 11,000-square-foot building for the extension agents and aging services operations.

County Administrator Mike Pence told Lapp the county would give at least six months’ notice if it decided to vacate the Alpine building.

“There’s going to be quite a bit of warning,” he assured.