Buckingham Props. ACHC growth: To relocate org. to 52,000 s/f at Monroe Sq., 259 Monroe Ave.

When Larry Glazer, CEO and managing partner at Buckingham Properties, heard that tenant AIDS Community Health Center (ACHC) was ready to expand again, he immediately knew the right space and location for them was at Monroe Sq. (259 Monroe Ave.) And as soon as he toured the space, Jay Rudman, president of ACHC, knew it, too. ACHC's move from Buckingham's Michaels-Stern Building (at 87 N. Clinton Ave.) will coincide with the merger and the co-location with AIDS Rochester to the same space - most of the first floor at Monroe Sq. As a result, the combined organization's space will increase from 36,600 s/f to more than 52,000 s/f. "The added capacity available will allow the newly merged organization to further expand its unique model of providing a comprehensive, continuum of care and services for people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS, through prevention, education, medical care, psychosocial care, and support," said Rudman. "And, with a 650-car free parking lot, a bus stop at the door and a location just a stone's throw from the Inner Loop, the property couldn't be a more perfect fit." "The building was predominantly occupied by Preferred Care (now MVP Health Care) until they moved to our Alexander Park location last fall," said Glazer. "We're happy to be able to accommodate ACHC and keep them as a tenant as well as fill a nice-size space at Monroe Sq. It's definitely a win-win situation." Originally a Sears (Sears, Roebuck & Co.) department store built in 1963; it is one of the few city buildings with floor-plates large enough to house a big organization on a single floor comfortably. Renovations are underway with ACHC occupancy expected this September. James Bridges of HBT Architects is the architect on the project. Besides the massive interior remodeling for ACHC, a new exterior canopy has been erected over the building entrance from the parking lot and landscaping upgrades have been made around the building. Additional exterior upgrades are planned for the near future. Glazer and Rudman have been down this road together before. When ACHC (then known as the Community Health Network - CHN) was outgrowing its South Ave. offices in 2002, Glazer showed Rudman space at the newly renovated Michaels-Stern Building at 87 N. Clinton Ave. In March of 2003, CHN moved into 16,000 s/f of space that featured the again-fashionable exposed brick, post and beam of days gone-by, including a first-floor pharmacy. In 2007, the remaining 1,400 s/f in the building was added and built-out to accommodate the growth of the organization. "The move to 259 Monroe will serve these organizations well for many, many years to come," said Rick Glazer, Buckingham leasing and tenant relations specialist and oldest son of Larry Glazer. Glazer assisted his father in piecing the deal together over a period of many months. "It was a long process but, in the end, it's a wining deal for both tenant and landlord." 259 Monroe is also home to a number of state agencies and not-for-profit organizations.