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Press Release

Survey Shows Tenants Developing Proactive, Phased Re-Entry Strategies Focused on Employee Health and Safety

Seattle, Wash., May 12, 2020– Seattle-based commercial real estate firm Urban Renaissance Group LLC (www.urbanrengroup.com) (URG) today unveiled results from a telling new survey of more than 500 commercial office and retail tenants representing 50,000+ employees, over eighty percent of which are in the greater Seattle area.

“As we all continue to deal with the impacts of COVID-19, it is clear that our tenants are already planning on a phased-in approach with an emphasis that is safe and healthy for their employees,” said URG Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Callahan. “The office will be a different environment for some time, but with good planning and coordination between landlord and tenant, employees will remain safe and the work environment will be productive.”

With Washington State’s “Stay-at-Home, Stay Safe” order currently extended until May 31st, 2020, office life will look very different once ‘Phase II’ of Governor Inslee’s four-phased re-opening plan begins and professional services / office-based businesses are allowed to reoccupy office buildings. According to URG tenants, many adjustments can be expected, including:

• A Gradual Return to Office. Even after the order is lifted, 75 percent of tenants expressed reservations about a full return of staff to the office due to general safety concerns. A very small number plan for all employees to return to the office immediately (13 percent), and a significant majority expects no more than 50 percent of staff to return initially.

• Staggered Schedules for Staff. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of respondents confirmed they are, or are likely, to begin staggering schedules to address distancing requirements. Of those returning, the majority will be focused on general functions over functions like information technology, leadership or food services.

• Working from Home is Part of the Solution. At least one-third of the tenants surveyed expect a permanent adoption of work-from-home policies for some employees – which is twice the amount that had that option prior to the pandemic – and nearly 40 percent more are considering it as a new option in the future.

• At-Risk Employees. Additionally, more than forty percent of survey respondents will not have “at–risk” employees to return to the office immediately once the stay-at-home order is lifted and another thirty percent of respondents remain unsure on how to handle at-risk employees in their organization.

• Personal Protective Equipment(PPE). More than half of respondents plan to offer PPE to employees, but many (1/3) need help finding the equipment. Another 33 percent are still considering offering PPE, as well. PPE is clearly part of the work solution.

URG believes that some continued use of office-at-home options, plus staggered schedules, will allow multi-tenant and single tenant buildings to perform effectively and with minimal risk. We have identified pinch points and high traffic areas in our buildings and are modifying building operating standards to enable adequate physical distancing and are pairing that with targeted increased cleaning. The health and safety of our tenants and employees is our first priority.

About Urban Renaissance Group

Urban Renaissance Group LLC is a Seattle-based full-service commercial real estate company, engaged in acquisitions, development, asset management, leasing, property management and ownership in Seattle, Bellevue, Denver and Portland. Founded in 2006, the strategic premise of Urban Renaissance Group (URG) is that the form of the American City is changing. URG acts as a catalyst that understands and ignites that change, thereby building community, generating appropriate returns for its investors and opportunities for its partners and employees. Learn more at www.urbanrengroup.com.