Summit County is working to finalize a lease agreement with Skullcandy for its headquarters in Kimball Junction with plans of establishing a major presence in the 45,000-square-foot facility by 2026.Officials expect an agreement to be presented to the audio-tech company in the coming weeks with possible approval by early next year, according to Summit County Manager Shayne Scott. He said negotiations are still underway, but the county is likely to occupy at least the first floor of the facility, while Skullcandy could maintain offices on the second.In May, the Summit County Council approved a $17.5 million agreement to purchase the building being leased to Skullcandy for government purposes. It is located on a 7.38-acre lot owned by an affiliate of Dakota Pacific Real Estate.Skullcandy is currently paying around $1 million to lease 100% of the building, but it wants less space. Meanwhile, Summit County has been looking for a suitable property for a new county facility. Scott said the great partnership opportunity allowed the county to make the best use of the space while also generating a new revenue stream.The acquisition was funded using existing sales tax revenues to pay off bonds that were issued. No additional taxes or increases are proposed.Under the proposal, the Kimball Junction branch of the Summit County Library would likely be moved to the Skullcandy building. Deputy County Manager Janna Young told the Summit County Library Board on Thursday officials wouldn’t be considering the change if it wasn’t an improvement over the current Richins Building facility.Board members will be invited to meet with an architecture team to influence the design, starting next month. The new library could be around 1,000 square feet and might include amenities such as a children’s area, computer lab, study rooms, moving walls to create a multipurpose space, an auditorium and a Bookmobile area. The building would also have outdoor space or a patio area to create a welcoming, public gathering place. “I think a library over there might have some real opportunities for some really exciting programs. I think libraries in 2024 and beyond are going to be more of community spaces than they are just places to go get a book,” Scott said in an interview. There’s even some talk of a rebranding effort to promote a more community-centric feel at the Skullcandy building.Construction on the first floor of the facility, which was included in the cost of the bond, could start next summer. Library board members seemed excited about the prospect.Scott sees the move as a long-term solution for the existing Richins Building. He said the space is functional, but not ideal for county operations. The Skullcandy building is estimated to be at least twice the size of the Richins Building. It could also work in conjunction with a larger project in the Kimball Junction area.If the County Council approves a public-private partnership with Dakota Pacific at the Park City Tech Center property, then the Richins Building would be demolished, along with the existing transit center, to make space for parking and new construction.Skullcandy has three years left on its existing term with an opportunity for two, five-year renewals. That means the company could technically remain in the building for another 13 years, so those involved are trying to negotiate what that might look like before a new agreement is finalized. Scott expected the County Council to receive a formal update soon.The post Summit County finalizing lease for new operations in Skullcandy building appeared first on Park Record.