Legislature seeks bids for Mat-Su office space as Wasilla lease runs out of renewals

The Legislature is looking for office space in the Mat-Su for its local lawmakers. The Legislative Affairs Agency on Oct. 2 asked for proposals for about 7,400 square feet of Class A office space anywhere in the borough, for a 10-year lease starting Aug. 1, 2027.

The Legislature has leased its current office in Wasilla since 2017, and the last renewal option on that lease ends July 31, 2027. The office covers about 6,927 square feet and rents for roughly $16,260 a month. It houses Sens. Rauscher, Tilton and Yundt, Reps. D. Johnson, McCabe, Moore, G. Nelson, St. Clair and Underwood, and Legislative Information Office staff.

The new space would be about 470 square feet bigger, with a 400-square-foot office for visiting legislators and 50 reserved parking spaces. The agency prefers a street-level location for easier public access. Offers from outside the borough will be disqualified.

The request sets no fixed budget. Bidders propose a price, which carries the most weight in scoring, followed by design, security and location, and Alaska-based bidders get a small scoring preference. Rent would depend on yearly legislative appropriations, and part of the base rent could rise annually starting in mid-2028 with the Anchorage consumer price index.

Proposals are due Nov. 2. The agency expects to announce its pick in early December and sign a contract in January. The Legislative Council must approve any lease and can reject the agency's recommendation.