Title
Approving a lease renewal and parkland diversion for T-Mobile Central, LLC at Edgcumbe Recreation Center.
Body
WHEREAS, in 2010 the City Council, in RES 10-1277, authorized a 15-year lease (PR-19) and diversion (06-PKLDVRS-2010) of city parkland with T-Mobile Central, LLC ("T-Mobile") for the installation and operation of cellular communications equipment at the Edgcumbe Recreation Center, 320 Griggs Street South (“Edgcumbe Property”); and
WHEREAS, the term of said lease expires December 31, 2026 and T-Mobile has requested a renewal for another 10-year term, with rent starting at $55,000 per year beginning January 1, 2027, and increasing 4.0% each year thereafter; and
WHEREAS, the placement of said communications equipment in 2010 constituted a diversion of park land in accordance with Section 13.01.1 of the City Charter, and the continued presence of the equipment through a lease renewal will constitute a furtherance of parkland diversion; and
WHEREAS, the rental value of the parkland to be diverted over the new 10-year term is derived from an update of an independent appraisal required pursuant to Section 13.01.1 of the Saint Paul City Charter; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks & Recreation recommends granting T-Mobile the 10-year lease renewal and approving the ongoing diversion of the Edgcumbe Property, and T-Mobile has agreed to pay just compensation for said diversion; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Parks & Recreation Commission supports T-Mobile’s continued use and diversion of the Edgcumbe Property for a lease renewal, as stated in its resolution, Number 25-04, adopted April 10, 2025, and attached hereto as Exhibit A; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized and directed to execute said lease renewal with T-Mobile for T-Mobile's use of the Edgcumbe Property, as set forth in the First Amendment to Lease Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit B; to accept just compensation from T-Mobile; and to deposit the appropriate portion of the lease payment over its 10-year term into the Parkland Replacement Fund, which is to be held in reserve for future purchase of park property as required in Chapter 13.01.1 of the City Charter.