The Ramsey County Board approved an agreement last week to have the county continue to manage and maintain the St. Paul City Hall/Ramsey County Courthouse building for the next 25 years.

The agreement essentially renews the deal struck by county and city leaders in 1988, when they put the 21-story tower's management into the hands of the county's Property Management Department. That agreement expires in two weeks.

The St. Paul City Council is expected to ratify the agreement Wednesday.

The building, which opened in 1932, is equally owned by the city of St. Paul and Ramsey County. They share operating and management costs based on the amount of space they use. Currently, Ramsey County occupies 66 percent of the space (including the courts) and St. Paul 34 percent.

Only minor changes have been made in the new agreement, including updates in position titles, technological references and insurance language.

KEVIN DUCHSCHERE

@KDuchschere