Plans for Denver city government to take up the top floor of The Denver Post building are back on.

After voting down the contract last month, Denver City Council on Monday night passed the nine-year, roughly $9.9 million sublease agreement that will secure the 11th floor of the DP Media Network-owned building and about 25,000 square feet of office space, marking a win for the Hancock administration.

Council members had originally deadlocked over the deal in January after some raised concerns that the city was not utilizing its existing space, and that investing in a lengthy contract could present problems if faced with an economic downturn. But after Councilwoman Kendra Black direct filed the contract – and emphasized during the meeting that the contract amount was already approved by the council in the 2020 budget – the resolution was ultimately OK’d on Monday night in a 9-4 vote.

City officials, including Denver’s director of real estate Jeff Steinberg, made their case by continuing to stress the importance of The Denver Post building’s proximity to other city government buildings, like the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building, and the fact that the lease rate is at least 15% below the average market rate at about $32 per square foot.

“Timing was of the essence,” Denver Chief Financial Officer Brendan Hanlon said, adding that the city was concerned the space would be up for grabs soon if Denver government didn’t snag it.

Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca, who voted against the contract in January, called the direct file “disingenuous” and the re-vote “a flagrant disregard” for the council’s decision just a month earlier.

Councilwoman Deborah Ortega, who also helped shoot down the deal last month, maintained her position and voted against the contract on Monday. Joining her and CdeBaca in their “no” vote were Councilmen Kevin Flynn and Chris Hinds, who also held their position from last month.

Councilwomen Amanda Sawyer and Amanda Sandoval, however, flipped their vote on Monday night, helping to push the contract forward. Councilwoman Jamie Torres, who was absent in January, also helped greenlight the contract with a “yes” vote.

Although it’s unclear how quickly city government workers will transition to the 11th floor, city officials said the first departments to move in will be Technology Services, the newly created Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Denver Community Planning and Development.