In recent years, the federal government has realized that its stock of aging or underused facilities is a tremendous drain on government resources. The General Services Administration (GSA) even announced that it has begun to reduce the federal government’s physical footprint by disposing of properties across eight states. The new administration has sent out messaging that indicates it will take that effort to the next level.
The federal government is planning to reduce the amount of property it owns and leases by 50 percent, according to a memo from the Public Buildings Services (PBS) commissioner reported by Straight Arrow News. The memo outlines the way the Trump administration’s plan to cut costs will affect not only workers but also the government-owned infrastructure.
“You will not be surprised to learn that this analysis has revealed a gross excess of space in the portfolio as well as substantial levels of deferred maintenance,” PBS Commissioner Michael Peters wrote to his employees, adding that the bloated office stock has led to overspending and suboptimal working conditions.
Peters says he wanted employees to be aware of the downsizing plan as they consider the administration’s buyout offer. The offer will allow them to resign and continue receiving their full pay and benefits through September.
PBS, which falls under the GSA, maintains federal properties nationwide. It owns or leases more than 8,800 offices that serve as the workspace for 1.1 million federal employees.
A December report by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, revealed that the government owns 7,697 vacant buildings and another 2,265 partially empty buildings. Maintenance, leases and energy costs for these buildings cost more than $15 billion a year.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.
