Good Neighbor Policy

SA is attempting to use federal resources to enhance inner-city economic and community development with the "Good Neighbor" program. The initiative involves opening up federal buildings to public meetings and offering up federal space for activities like farmers' markets, festivals, exhibits, restaurants and shops. Last year, GSA hosted more than 5,000 community events and activities in federal buildings and plazas.

GSA is also entering into business improvement district contracts with 12 cities to purchase services such as sidewalk cleaning, building maintenance and non-uniformed security through local businesses. Public Buildings Service Commissioner Robert A. Peck says this process is important because "it creates a different attitude about the federal government . . . and a different view on the part of our federal building managers, who are as good or better than any private-sector building managers I've seen, but who often don't think they are part of the community."