Clinton Takes His Office Hunt to Harlem

Under fire from congressional critics, former President Clinton canceled plans Monday to lease a glitzy high-rise office in midtown Manhattan for $800,0000 a year--$500,000 of which would have been paid by taxpayers.

Citing the growing chorus of opposition from Washington politicians--who have said even $500,000 is greater than the annual office rent for ex-presidents Reagan, Carter and Ford combined--Clinton is reportedly looking at much less expensive real estate on 125th Street in Harlem.

“He wanted to go to a place where he could be a good neighbor and be welcomed by the neighborhood as well,” said Julia Payne, a spokeswoman for Clinton’s transition office in Washington.

A Clinton staffer toured the Harlem offices on the neighborhood’s main commercial thoroughfare, but a deal has not yet been struck to lease 8,000 square feet of space. Clinton is expected to visit the building at 55 W. 125th St. soon. He is also looking at office space south of the midtown area, according to news reports.

Rep. Charles B. Rangel, a Harlem Democrat and strong Clinton ally, said “we’re very excited” at the idea of the ex-president leasing his office in the area, noting that rents in Harlem are much less expensive than the penthouse office Clinton had been considering in the Carnegie Hall Tower on West 57th Street. That property, commanding magnificent views of Central Park, became the center of intense controversy when the $800,000 tab became known.

To assuage critics, Clinton had offered to pay $300,000 toward the rent from his presidential library foundation. Taxpayers, however, would still have had to pay the balance, and House hearings had been scheduled to investigate the proposed lease.

The flap over Clinton’s office rent is just one of several issues that have dogged him since leaving the White House, along with the pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich and the return of White House gifts the Clintons took, saying they mistakenly believed the items were intended for them personally.