Federal Budget Includes $92M Philadelphia Investment

PHILADELPHIA — The proposed $21.3 billion federal budget includes a $92 million allotment to modernize a government structure in Philadelphia, officials revealed on Wednesday.

U.S. General Services Administration Administrator Emily Murphy announced key investments that are part of the fiscal year 2021 President’s Budget Request. The proposed $21.3 billion gross budget "...reflects the administration’s commitment to strategic investments in our nation’s real property management, modernizing the government’s information technology services, simplifying government procurement, and expanding the shared services delivered throughout government," officials said in an email sent to Patch.

To that end, $91,965,000 has been earmarked for revamping of the U.S. Custom House located at 1200 Chestnut St., federal officials said. The windfall will be used to repair/replace the domestic and stormwater systems and upgrade/replace the HVAC system to a more efficient, modern design, according to the press advisory.

"The building is suffering from recurrent flooding caused by the aged domestic water piping system and significant temperature and indoor air quality issues caused by the insufficient and outdated HVAC system," the advisory reads. "Electrical system components will be replaced to support the HVAC systems. Mitigation of hazardous materials and associated sprinkler modifications will be accomplished in disturbed areas as part of the project. "

Murphy expounded on the overall plans: "The continued investment into GSA’s portfolio provides opportunities for savings both for our agency partners and the American people," he said in a prepared statement. "Looking forward to FY 2021, GSA will be making strategic capital investments that lead to a reduction in costly leased space, streamlining and standardizing the federal payroll systems through NewPay, and moving agencies from antiquated legacy systems to more secure, efficient, and modern platforms."

Of the $10.4 billion GSA requested for the Federal Buildings Fund to maintain and operate its real estate portfolio, $1.4 billion — including the local allotment — is included for repairs and alterations to improve space utilization, safety, and condition of government owned assets, Murphy added.

The proposed FY 2021 budget request also includes investments in real property infrastructure and management; support for the government’s development of innovative technology; and expansion of shared services.

For more information on the federal budget, visit: FY21 Congressional Justification.

The local budget earmark comes on the heels of a White House report that was critical of the architectural aesthetics buildings across the U.S. Presented with the Trumpian title "Making Federal Buildings Beautiful Again," the critical report was first obtained last week by Architectural Record magazine.

"Unfortunately, the Design Excellence Program has not reintegrated our national values into federal buildings," federal officials wrote in the draft. "With a limited number of exceptions," the report continues, "the federal government has largely stopped building beautiful buildings that the American people want to look at or work in. Federal architecture should once again inspire respect instead of bewilderment or repugnance."

Conversely, the White House, U.S. Capitol and U.S. Supreme Court buildings are cited as architecturally ideal — all invoked as "...international symbols of democratic self-government."

Not everyone agrees with the federal assessment of aesthetic architectural beauty. Architectural Record reached out to the American Institute of Architects for their take, and received the following statement:

"The AIA strongly opposes uniform style mandates for federal architecture. Architecture should be designed for the specific communities that it serves, reflecting our rich nation’s diverse places, thought, culture and climates. Architects are committed to honoring our past as well as reflecting our future progress, protecting the freedom of thought and expression that are essential to democracy."

Story by Tony Cantu, Patch Staff