FROM: GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
GSA Announces Major Investments in the Nation’s Public Buildings
Washington, DC--- Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Dan Tangherlini announced major investments in our nation’s infrastructure as part of the Fiscal Year 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The legislation will provide important funding to repair and maintain our country's public infrastructure, pay rent for our leased buildings, consolidate offices to save money, and upgrade land ports of entry to secure the nation's borders and facilitate trade and economic growth. The more than $9.3 billion investment in the nation’s public buildings enables GSA to properly maintain and improve the real estate assets owned and paid for by the American people.
“By investing in our public buildings, a smaller federal footprint and improved border crossing stations, GSA will not only create savings for the American people, but also assist in providing them with the most efficient and effective government possible,” said GSA Administrator Dan Tangherlini. “These infrastructure projects will ensure that federal agencies can support economic and job growth in communities across this country.”
Investing in the Nation’s Public Buildings
As a result of consecutive years of reduced funding, GSA’s portfolio of facilities have had to forgo over $4 billion worth of capital improvements including major repairs and maintenance as well as critical additions to the inventory. The legislation is an important step in restoring GSA’s ability to meet the urgent needs of its real estate portfolio by investing more than $1 billion in repair and maintenance of more than 9,000 federal buildings across the country. These are critical investments in infrastructure that will create significant savings by preventing costly emergency repairs in the future.
Construction and Border Modernization Projects
The legislation funds several construction projects that will allow agencies to continue to provide critical services to the American people. One of those projects includes the consolidation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the St. Elizabeth’s campus in Washington, DC. With $155 million investment in the St. Elizabeth’s campus, GSA will continue to work to bring DHS into a single campus, which will save on leased space and enhance staff collaboration.
With the passage of the legislation, GSA’s request for a number of Land Port of Entry projects is fully funded. GSA will invest $295 million in critical border crossing and inspection modernization projects that will help expand trade and enhance border security. This includes:
$226 million to work on the next phase of the San Ysidro Port of Entry in Southern California, the busiest border crossing in the world.
$61.6 million to expand and modernize the U.S. Land Port of Entry facilities at the Port of Laredo in Laredo, Texas.
$7.4 million in the project design phase to expand and modernize the border crossing in Columbus, New Mexico.
These projects will increase efficiency, create economic growth, and improve safety and security for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Making Federal Real Estate Smaller and More Efficient
The legislation includes $70 million to further GSA’s efforts to consolidate agencies within existing federally owned space. GSA’s consolidation program will save taxpayer dollars by reducing agency dependence on leased space, increase energy and water conservation, and reduce the total amount of space occupied by the government.
