April 4, 2005: NORTON ANNOUNCES BREAKTHROUGH FOR OLD POST OFFICE RENOVATION

Washington, DC— The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that after seven years of pressure from the Congresswoman and her committee, the impasse between GSA and OMB has been settled with the go-ahead to GSA to solicit proposals for development of the Old Post Office Building on Pennsylvania Avenue12^th Street NW. The Congresswoman, who is ranking member of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over GSA, pressed the administration again after a violent altercation occurred last month following an evening event at the Old Post Office. “I can’t remember when a killing has been associated with the use of a federal facility. These are wonderful assets used by communities throughout the country,” Norton said. “Instead of development for its highest and best use, the Old Post Office has been neglected and underused by a few small federal agencies and nighttime events, with almost no return to the federal government. The long neglect of this national treasure stands in contrast to the highly regarded renovation of the nearby Tariff Building by the GSA. The process that preserved the Tariff Building while returning it to productive use as the Hotel Monaco (7^th and F Street, NW) should be the model for the Old Post Office. Only the federal government has the resources and capability to properly renovate such a historic property. The Tariff Building shows what can be achieved when the federal government works with the private sector to produce a building that brings a return to the government, provides a safe and necessary facility for the city, and preserves a historic treasure.”

Norton said she would help to expedite consideration by her subcommittee as soon as competitive bidding produces a developer.