Clinton opts for cheaper office space

By Maria Hinojosa/CNN

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Former President Bill Clinton has abandoned plans to move his offices into a pricey midtown office building and instead might set up shop uptown in Harlem.

Clinton is considering renting a full floor of a 12-story building at 125th Street and Fifth Avenue that has a private elevator, private bathroom and great views, U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, D-New York, who represents Harlem, told CNN.

Across the street is an abandoned, four-story brownstone building, a pharmacy and a women's hair salon.

Harlem's 125th Street has been experiencing a renaissance in recent years, luring retailers and new construction, including a movie theater owned by Magic Johnson and a sports club. It's also a center of black culture in the city, featuring the Apollo Theater and numerous jazz clubs.

Clinton may rent a full floor 55 W. 125th St. for $30 per square foot, less than half what he was considering paying in midtown, said Arthur Stern, chief executive officer of the Cogswell Realty Group, which owns the building.

Clinton had planned to lease office space in midtown Manhattan for $700,500, according to his real estate agent and the building management. That led to complaints about the cost, which would be covered by taxpayers.

One of the critics was Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Oklahoma.

"I hope this will be a much more reasonable price for the American taxpayer," he said Monday, in a statement. "I'm pleased Mr. Clinton has listened to what the public was saying, and I know we'll all be just as interested in the new details."

Clinton spokesman Jake Siewert had defended the proposed lease. "Every former president has an office near his home," Siewert said. He said Clinton's office was about the same size as Ronald Reagan's, but "New York is more expensive than West L.A."

GOP congressman seeks to limit Clinton office expenditure
February 1, 2001

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