{"id":2398317,"date":"2025-02-03T15:10:01","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T20:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/public-buildings-reform-board-seeks-to-revamp-nearly-vacant-d-c-federal-buildings-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-03T15:13:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T20:13:30","slug":"public-buildings-reform-board-seeks-to-revamp-nearly-vacant-d-c-federal-buildings-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/public-buildings-reform-board-seeks-to-revamp-nearly-vacant-d-c-federal-buildings-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Buildings Reform Board seeks to revamp nearly vacant D.C. federal buildings &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpublic-buildings-reform-board-seeks-to-revamp-nearly-vacant-d-c-federal-buildings-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2398317&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Public Buildings \u2062Reform \u200cBoard (PBRB) is working to revamp underused federal buildings in \u2063Washington, D.C., \u2064aiming to connect the Wharf entertainment district with the \u2062National Mall\u2019s cultural institutions. \u2064An architectural firm,Skidmore,Owings\u200b &#038; Merrill (SOM),presented a proposal at the PBRB&#8217;s recent meeting suggesting the \u2063transformation of \u200dnearly vacant office spaces into a mix of residential,commercial,adn retail areas. \u200cCurrently, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senator-probes-biden-admin-for-offloading-baby-formula-to-illegal-immigrants\/\" title=\"Senator Probes Biden Admin for Offloading Baby Formula to Illegal Immigrants\">federal government owns<\/a> or leases 33 million square\u200d feet of space in D.C., \u2063with only 12% occupied. The\u2064 board&#8217;s report to Congress highlighted that these vacant properties detract from the district and suggested that the federal footprint could be reduced by up to 50%.\u200b The proposed changes have the\u2064 support of Mayor Muriel Bowser, emphasizing\u2063 the\u2064 potential \u200bfor these properties\u2062 to contribute to the tax base \u200cand meet community needs. The \u200dSouthwest Federal Center is noted as\u200b having the most potential for redevelopment, \u2062with various <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">prime federal buildings<\/a> under consideration\u2063 for repurposing. the initiative comes amidst D.C.&#8217;s fiscal challenges, including a significant budget deficit.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Public Buildings Reform Board seeks to revamp nearly vacant D.C. federal buildings<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1973045\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The Public Buildings Reform Board is seeking to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbrb.gov\/files\/2025\/01\/SOM-Southwest-Federal-Center-Presentation_View-Only.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"revamp\">revamp<\/a> underutilized <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/federal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"revamp\">federal<\/a> office buildings in an effort to branch the Wharf entertainment district to the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> National Mall&rsquo;s<\/a> cultural institution.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbrb.gov\/files\/2025\/01\/SOM-Southwest-Federal-Center-Presentation_View-Only.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">29-slide <\/a>PowerPoint, Skidmore, Owings &amp; Merrill, or SOM, a D.C. architecture firm, provided sketches of how it could assist in turning near vacant federal buildings into residential and commercial spaces.<\/p>\n<p>The PBRB&rsquo;s Jan. 28 meeting to review SOM&rsquo;s sketches occurred amid President Donald Trump&rsquo;s plans to completely overhaul the federal government, having put hundreds of federal employees on leave.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><\/figure>\n<p>According to the slideshow, the federal government owns or leases 33 million square feet of building space in Washington, D.C., but as of 2023, federal agencies only occupy 12% of this space.<\/p>\n<p>In March 2024, the PBRB published a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbrb.gov\/reading-room\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">report<\/a> to Congress and the Executive Branch outlining how the vacant buildings are a detriment to the district. The report found it could reduce the &ldquo;federal footprint in the area by as much as 50%&rdquo; &mdash; and the plan has the backing of Mayor Muriel Bowser.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Currently underutilized properties can be repositioned within communities and add to the tax base or be repurposed to suit community needs,&rdquo; the report read.  &ldquo;The status quo of nearly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rand-pauls-annual-festivus-report-exposes-482-billion-in-federal-waste\/\" title=\"Rand Paul&#039;s Annual &quot;Festivus Report&quot; Exposes 2 Billion in Federal Waste\">empty federal buildings<\/a> is not financially or politically sustainable.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The PBRB has identified Southwest Federal Center as offering the &ldquo;greatest potential for transformation.&rdquo; It consists of 42 city blocks and 15.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-city-office-leasing-surges-still-below-pre-pandemic-levels-2\/\" title=\"New York City office leasing surges; still below pre-pandemic levels\">3 million square feet<\/a> of office space, of which 87% is underused.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Several prime properties are under consideration for disposal, presenting an opportunity to reimagine the future of the capital city,&rdquo; the slideshow stated.<\/p>\n<p>Among the prime properties included is the Department of Energy, which is completely empty and located at the cross streets of L&rsquo;Enfant Plaza Sq NW and Independence Ave.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><\/figure>\n<p>In SOM&rsquo;s proposal, it would convert 1,381,400 square feet of the 1,920,200 square feet into 56.4% residential space, 28.6% office space, and 15.1% retail space. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><\/figure>\n<p>The proposal also targets the U.S. Postal Service HQ, which is currently operating at 50% capacity and is located at the crossroads of Maryland Ave. and L&rsquo;Enfant Plaza SW, as well as nearby federal buildings.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><\/figure>\n<p>The plan involves putting just 43.4% of the 3,375,800 square feet under federal control. It would introduce hotels, cultural and additional office spaces to the area.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;The coordination with the federal government will be really important,&rdquo; Pam Frentzel-Beyme, Bowser&rsquo;s director of real estate, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/dc-md-va\/2025\/02\/10\/federal-buildings-bowser-trump-southwest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">told<\/a> the Washington Post. The area around the Mall &ldquo;doesn&rsquo;t just have to be these somber monuments; it can serve multiple purposes.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>These plans come as D.C. faced a budget deficit of $700 million last year with an estimated $4 billion gap through fiscal 2029. This resulted in half a billion in cuts and tax hikes.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;You have to keep in mind that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mark-levin-uses-6th-grad-econ-test-to-show-harris-why-her-inflation-plan-wont-work\/\" title=\"Mark Levin Uses 6th Grad Econ Test to Show Harris Why Her Inflation Plan Won&#039;t Work\">federal government doesn&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t pay property taxes on real estate that they own, whereas the owners of real estate that they lease do pay property taxes,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;So that would be extremely positive for the city&rsquo;s bottom line,&rdquo; Tracy Hadden Loh, a Brookings Institution fellow focused on real estate, told the Washington Post. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1973045\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1973045\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Public Buildings Reform Board aims to transform vacant D.C. federal buildings<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2542,"featured_media":2398318,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-03-at-10.24.53%E2%80%AFAM-1024x658.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[49736,49734,49735],"class_list":["post-2398317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-federal-buildings","tag-public-buildings","tag-reform-board"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-03-at-10.24.53%E2%80%AFAM-1024x658.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2542"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2398317"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398317\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2398321,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2398317\/revisions\/2398321"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2398318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2398317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2398317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2398317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}