Public Facilities Committee Reviews Proposed Lease for New South County Office Building in Jamestown

The Chautauqua County Public Facilities Committee met on July 14, 2026, to review and discuss a proposed lease agreement for a new South County Office Building located at 310-322 East 3rd Street in Jamestown. The building, approximately 85,000 square feet with two accompanying parking lots, is under contract with developer Joe Russa, who has a longstanding relationship with the county. The committee discussed consolidating county offices currently spread across three properties into this single location to improve accessibility and operational efficiency. The lease proposal includes a monthly rent of about $105,000, with annual costs estimated between $1 million and $1.2 million, including escalators. The developer committed to maintaining the building's infrastructure, including utilities and security, while the county would handle interior cleaning of its occupied spaces. The committee also addressed parking arrangements, tenant transitions, and the building's readiness for occupancy, including existing data infrastructure. A resolution to proceed with the lease agreement with Third Ventures LLC was put to a vote and carried unanimously, signaling approval to move forward with the lease and related planning activities.