A source with Levi tells GlobeSt.com that the company has beenout of the market for several years and wants to have a goodunderstanding of the current rental rates for a renewal versus theother options. "This background work is standard when considering along-term lease commitment and our company policies requirecompetitive bidding on all our contracts," he states in an email."We have hired the Staubach Company to assist with this work."

Whatever it does, it appears that it will be in a smallerfootprint. A local broker confirmed for GlobeSt.com that Staubachsent out RFPs on behalf of Levi for 300,000 sf of office space.While substantially less than it currently leases, 300,000 sf maynot be substantially less than the company currently occupies, asit subleases a portion of its space.

Known as Levi's Plaza, 1155 Battery St. has a total of 838,000sf of office space. The building owner is Gerson Bakar and Assoc.,which retains Interland Jalson as the third party property manager.Interland deferred questions to Gerson Bakar's Stephen LoPristi,who was not immediately available Wednesday afternoon forcomment.