Villaraigosa's Lease Up for Washington D.C. Digs

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa often talks about flying to Washington D.C. so he can grab some of those federal dollars for the city of Los Angeles -- it's one of the main excuses he gives to reporters for regularly traveling out of town.

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

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But probably few taxpayers know that he actually leases an office only a few blocks away from the White House at 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Indeed.

And now Villaraigosa, who is still grappling with a budget shortfall of over $400 million, wants to sign a new, three-year lease. It will come under consideration at Tuesday's L.A. City Council meeting.

Here's the lowdown on that space, and what it costs John and Mary Q. Public.

According to a September 24, 2009, report by the city's Department of General Services, the mayor's office has been leasing space at 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue from the National League of Cities since 1991 -- Tom Bradley was still in office at that point. (Click here to see the DGS report.)

The current rate for the 2,314-square-foot office is $3.06 per square foot for the monthly rent of $7,081, or $84,972 annually. That deal will expire on December 31, 2009.

The new lease for that same space will be $3.34 per square foot or $7,729 per month and $92,748 annually.

Villaraigosa also wants to rent up to four parking spaces costing $275 each for a monthly total of $1,100, or $13,200 annually.

So the mayor's looking to spend $105,948, per year, of the taxpayers' money to maintain shop in the nation's capital. Over three years, that's $317,844.

We thought you'd like to know where your money is going.

Contact Patrick Range McDonald at pmcdonald@laweekly.com and follow at http://twitter.com/PRMcDonald.