If they are hiring 1099 employees that is between them as every contract I have is written they are to have insurance and provide a copy of their insurance certificate

If you provide seller financing, make sure you are a named insured on the insurance certificate like a regular bank. 

It's a Transaction Coordination Certification for creative finance. 

It's been 10+ years since I've gone through the City of Chicago permit review process, and I'm told things have changed.In particular, I'm told that I need not only an architect that has Chicago experience, but also a specific sustainability certification, otherwise I run the risk of having a very long review process.Thanks in advance for your help!

Do you typically need a certificate of Occupancy to lease an industrial flex space? 

Condos have very strict rules regarding %owner vs % investment and can loose their condo cert if they don't abide.

The building was built prior to 1938, so there is no certificate of occupancy issued; not sure if that helps me at all.Thank you.

The phila.gov website says this:InsuranceYou must provide a Certificate of Insurance that includes the minimum amount:General Liability Insurance: $1,000,000 per occurrence

Interest only for 18 months after Occupancy certificate., b. 

Also, be sure to look into the Certificate of Compliance required by Detroit.