On Thursday, the General Services Administration added HUD’s headquarters, the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, to a list of federal properties designated for “accelerated disposal.”
“HUD’s focus is on creating a workplace that reflects the values of efficiency, accountability, and purpose,” Secretary Scott Turner said in a statement. “We’re committed to rightsizing government operations and ensuring our facilities support a culture of optimal performance and exceptional service as we collaborate with our partners at GSA to deliver results for the American people.”
The building, which is on top of L’Enfant Plaza Metro station and is two blocks from the National Mall, is 10 floors and 700,000 square feet. It operates at 50% capacity even after President Donald Trump’s executive order mandating that federal workers return to the office, according to the GSA.
The Trump administration is seeking to reduce the taxpayers’ burden of covering the costs of running large and expensive federal buildings. Weaver costs $56 million in rent and faces $500 million in deferred maintenance and modernization needs.
However, the federal building is of landmark status, being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means Weaver can’t be sold unless it can be ensured that its historical integrity will be maintained. Thus, demolishing the building would be a no-go.
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Last month, the Trump administration added Weaver among 443 properties as “non-core,” but hours later, it terminated the list, saying the administration needed additional time to “understand the nuances of the assets listed.”
While Washington remains a top choice for a new property, Trump announced on Tuesday that he is allowing greater flexibility for where federal agencies decide to locate. His announcement revoked previous presidents’ executive orders that required the government to select downtown and historic districts.
