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After years of being a renter, the Salt Lake County district attorney's office is going to have its own offices.
Two exactly — a main headquarters at 465 S. Main St. in Salt Lake City, directly west of the Matheson Courthouse, and a second in West Jordan, near a 3rd District courthouse and much closer to the population boom that's coming to the Salt Lake Valley's southwest quadrant.
Projected cost: $65.4 million.
That's a whole lot more than the $33 million originally envisioned in 2009 for a single DA building in downtown Salt Lake City. It's even considerably higher than a revised 2013 figure of $55.4 million, which made some council members almost apoplectic.
But on Tuesday, County Council members unanimously endorsed the higher price tag, and expressed a "willingness" to come up with $20.1 million to pay the final bill, because they felt it's better to own than rent and this solution prepares for the future.
"It's a no brainer," said County Council Chairman Richard Snelgrove, noting that the county's AAA bond rating allows it to borrow money for construction at a much lower interest rate than the escalating cost of leasing quarters from private-sector landlords.
"Undoubtedly, this is a good deal for the taxpayers," he said. "Owning will save money, instead of leasing office space for decades."
County Mayor Ben McAdams, who acquired the 3.1-acre downtown site and oversaw the process of going from one building to two, calculated the savings will amount to $19 million over 30 years.
"This is a fiscally responsible decision that recognizes it is more cost-effective to own space than continue long-term leasing," McAdams said.
It's also a matter of pride, said Councilman Steve DeBry, a Unified Police Department captain from South Jordan.
"For a first-class county like ours to have to rent as long as we have seems so unbecoming to who we really are," he said. "This makes good sense to serve the southwest county."
District Attorney Sim Gill was beaming after the once-contentious issue sailed to approval.
"This is the right thing to do for the right reason," he said. "It's fiscally, functionally and operationally sound."
"Both buildings, located near district courts, will be easily accessible to the community, law enforcement and, most importantly, the victims of crime," Gill added.
Consultant David Hart said the project will be funded with revenue from a bond approved when the first building was pegged at $33 million, plus an estimated $9 million from selling the land at 600 S. State where that building was supposed to be built.
The remaining $20 million is likely to come from a bond to be approved later by the council.
A "request for qualifications" will go out Wednesday seeking a contractor, said Megan Hillyard, associate director of administrative services. A similar request for an architect will follow in about six weeks. The two then will work together on the sites.
The DA's offices
• A 110,000-square foot building at 465 S. Main St. with 280 parking stalls
• A 35,0000-square-foot shell of a building, half to be used at first, with 94 parking stalls near 1800 West and 8000 South
• Projected cost: $65.4 million
Source: Salt Lake County