The Washington Business Journal has reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) plans to move its headquarters from a leased space to a government-owned building near L’Enfant Plaza have been postponed. The General Services Administration (GSA) has canceled their request for proposals for the design and construction of a $188.8-million renovation of 301 Seventh St. SW, which was intended to house FEMA and other Department of Homeland Security agencies.
This renovated building would have accommodated 4,374 DHS employees and FEMA had officially announced their move there in December last year.
According to an email sent by GSA to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who oversees federal leasing projects, they decided to cancel the solicitation due “current market conditions” that may affect DHS’s housing strategy in the National Capital Region.
Currently located two blocks away at Federal Center Plaza on C St. SW are FEMA’s headquarters which is leased until 2027 from The Donohoe Cos., Inc.. Peter Happ from Donohoe stated that it is likely for FEMA now renew their lease at this location instead.
Recent developments suggest that plans by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)to relocate its headquarters from rented space into a government-owned building near L’Enfant Plaza have been put on hold as reported by Washington Business Journal.The General Services Administration(GSA), responsible for managing federal properties,canceled its call for proposals aimed at renovatingthe existing office complexat301 Seventh St.SW with an estimated budgetof$188.8 million.This project was expectedto accommodate not only FEMAbut alsoother Departmentof Homeland Security(DHS)agencies totaling4,374 employees.FEMA had madean official announcement abouttheir relocationin December last year.However,the GSA cited current market conditionsand howthey could potentially impactDHS’shousing strategyinthe National Capital Regionas reasonsfor cancelingthe proposal,in an email sent tothe House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,which oversees federal leasingand construction projects.
Currently,FEMA’s headquartersare located just two blocks away at Federal Center Plazaon C St.SW.This building is owned by The Donohoe Cos.Inc.and FEMA has a lease agreementthat runs through 2027.Peter Happ from Donohoe informed the Business Journal that it is now likely for FEMAto renew their leaseat this location.
