GSA says it will republish a retracted list of potential federal buildings to sell

The General Services Administration on Wednesday clarified that a list posted earlier this week of hundreds of federal buildings that it will consider selling, which the agency has since taken down from its website, “will be republished in the near future after we evaluate this initial input and determine how we can make it easier for stakeholders to understand the nuances of the assets listed.”

GSA’s Public Buildings Service announced on Tuesday that it identified more than 440 “non-core” federal properties across the country for potential disposal. The agency said it would “continuously review and update the list,” which included agencies’ Washington, D.C., headquarters, such as the Labor Department’s Frances Perkins Building, the Robert F. Kennedy Main Justice Department Building and the Federal Aviation Administration's Orville and Wilbur Wright Buildings. 

“Decades of funding deficiencies have resulted in many of these buildings becoming functionally obsolete and unsuitable for use by our federal workforce. We can no longer hope that funding will emerge to resolve these longstanding issues,” according to the press release. “GSA’s decisive action to dispose of non-core assets leverages the private sector, drives improvements for our agency customers and best serves local communities.”

In fiscal 2022, GSA’s deferred maintenance and repairs backlog for federal buildings reached $80 billion. 

PBS officials initially claimed selling buildings on the “non-core” assets list could yield more than $430 million in annual operational savings. They also said courthouses, land ports of entry and defense and law enforcement facilities would be retained. 

Employees at PBS will perform market research and solicit agency feedback on strategies to sell the “non-core” assets. That agency is undergoing widespread layoffs. Nearly 40% of staff in region nine, which covers some western states, have been let go.   

PBS Commissioner Michael Peters said on Jan. 28 that the federal real estate portfolio could be halved. Robin Carnahan, who was GSA administrator under President Joe Biden, said in a January interview with Federal News Network that a review showed the federal government could reduce its portfolio by 30%. 

The availability and suitability of federal workspace has become a more prevalent issue since President Donald Trump largely ended remote work flexibility for federal employees. 

GSA on Monday launched a program to connect federal employees who need office space with agencies that have available workspace.

In addition to selling federally-owned buildings, GSA has been leading an effort to cancel leases as part of a broader initiative to cut government spending.