A high-speed computer network serving the U.S. Department of Energy is getting an office in Bloomington’s Trades District.
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission approved a five-year lease for the Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) at a Monday meeting.
John Fernandez, senior vice president of innovation and strategic partnerships at The Mill, said this will help secure high-paying tech jobs and advance the Trades District’s goals.
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“We're trying to create this innovation hub in downtown Bloomington that ties into our regional aspirations in terms of economic development,” Fernandez said. “The talent that’s going to be here with ESnet and their sister colleagues really adds to the depth of talent that we’re trying to concentrate, because we know from all the research that companies that are located in either research parks or innovation districts have a much higher percentage growth in terms of their economic success.”
The network’s office will be in a 4,059-square-foot space within the Trades District Parking Garage at 489 W. 10th St. The base rent will be $19 per square foot in the first year, with an annual increase of 2.5 percent, plus operating expenses. An estimated 12 employees will occupy the space.
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The lease may renew three additional terms of five years each. The first term begins upon the completion of tenant improvements.
The commission also authorized the city comptroller to expend an amount of up to $773,245 for a tenant improvement allowance.
ESnet is funded by the Department of Energy and is managed by staff at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
