Norton Bill Will Compel Development of Neglected Federal Crown Jewel (1/16/08)

Washington, DC--Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced the Old Post Office Building Redevelopment Act of 2008 to jump start the stalled development of the historic federal building at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The bill calls for the General Services Administration (GSA) to "fast forward" plans to secure a competitive agreement with a private developer to make full use of the nearly empty, neglected but historic Old Post Office, and assure that taxpayers and the public receive the long overdue benefits that can be generated from the use of this valuable federal site. Norton, chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, which has jurisdiction over GSA, has expressed concern about the waste and neglect of this valuable property for years. Consequently in 2005, GSA issued a Request for Expression of Interest for which it received many indications of interest. However, Norton said, "For no good or sufficient reason, GSA has never proceeded to the next step, to issue a request for proposals."

The Congresswoman became even more concerned about the disposition of the building and stepped up pressure following a violent altercation and killing outside the Old Post Office after a George Washington University student event in April, 2005. At the time, Norton, who was ranking member of the subcommittee, complained that the building, in addition to being "neglected and underused...with almost no return to the federal government," had created a dangerous situation in downtown Washington. In order to gain some revenue from the building, GSA rented it for events over which they had no control. She called on the GSA to take steps to provide a "safe and necessary facility...while preserving a historic treasure." GSA responded by issuing the Request for Expression of Interest. Norton said, "I regret that it took violence downtown to get the government to do the obvious." Well before then, Norton had pressed the GSA to develop the Old Post Office Building because of the huge waste to the government due to its under-use, central location, potential for D.C. tourism, and unique historic value. However, the Office of Management and Budget had acted to prevent GSA from moving forward and at one time had indicated it wanted to sell the building. The full committee, on a bipartisan basis, has long been clear that it would never sell historic properties, but wanted it made usable to help produce revenue. Added to that, Norton said the building is within eyeshot of the White House and other important federal buildings, raising obvious security concerns and making the idea of "selling one of the crown jewels in the federal inventory even more unthinkable." The committee has worked with Secret Service on how the building should be secured when developed. Today, Norton said that, "I now have no alternative but to introduce a bill to put a fire under the GSA to take the necessary action."

Because the building was designed as a post office in the 19th century, its present design makes it virtually unusable without appropriate remodeling. During decades of underutilization, the government has attempted to make the space suitable for office space, but its huge, cavernous central area on the main floor and the areas that surround the atrium could only accommodate the few very small agencies currently housed there. GSA indicated that those agencies can easily and economically be relocated elsewhere in the District of Columbia.

"As we begin a new year, further delay in making use of a centrally located historic treasure can no longer be tolerated," Norton said in her statement of introduction. "Apparently, the private sector stepped forward when the GSA asked for indications of interest. Now, GSA must respond without further delay."