The General Services Administration is likely to reduce the amount of office space the federal government uses over the next few years.
GSA’s administrator recently told a Congressional committee that 40% of its leases will expire over the next four years. That provides a chance to shift tenant agencies to properties the government owns, but maintenance is a key challenge.
Agencies could save $2 billion annually if they take advantage of the opportunity to move. GSA has saved $4.5 billion in lease costs to date through office consolidation, but many federal buildings have fallen into disrepair because of a lack of consistent funding for maintenance.
More than half of federal buildings in GSA’s portfolio are over 50 years old, and more than a quarter of them are over 75 years old. GSA needs to ensure designs of new federal buildings can be resilient to the impacts of climate change, one congressperson pointed out.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Aug 24, 2021
KTGY releases free resource to reduce carbon footprint in multifamily developments
Helps navigate Denver Green Code measures—a series of voluntary codes.
Codes and Standards | Aug 19, 2021
Massive infrastructure bill includes hundreds of millions for building energy efficiency
Funds allotted for updated code implementation, construction technology, K-12 efficiency programs.
Codes and Standards | Aug 18, 2021
Fannie Mae green bonds program could be greenwashing
Analysis shows significant number of green bond properties become less efficient.
Codes and Standards | Aug 17, 2021
Three Texas cities head list of most environmentally vulnerable
Hazard analysis includes natural disasters and government response categories.
Codes and Standards | Aug 16, 2021
Bill would reform New York’s public contracting process
Council on Public Contracting Reform to have contractor representation.
Codes and Standards | Aug 12, 2021
AGC pushes for more environmentally friendly construction
Contractor trade group supports government investment, tax incentives to reduce carbon footprints.
Codes and Standards | Aug 11, 2021
Decentralized approach to codes means emissions reduction responsibility falls on local officials
Efficiency advocates focusing more on local code amendments.
Codes and Standards | Aug 10, 2021
Dept. of Energy issues model energy code determinations for commercial, residential buildings
2021 IECC offers 9.4% site energy savings.
Digital Twin | Aug 9, 2021
Digital Twin Maturity white paper offers guidance on digital twin adoption
Provides lifecycle map and an approach for incorporating digital twins.
Codes and Standards | Aug 5, 2021
Contractors can be liable for building failures many years after project completion
Personal injury suits could be brought decades after substantial completion.