New FBI Building Proposal In DC Is Final Blow For NoVa Suburbs

SPRINGFIELD, VA—The federal government decided against moving the FBI headquarters to the suburbs last summer, but a new recommendation to rebuild on the current site in DC delivered the final blow. A federally-owned warehouse in Springfield had been a top contender for the relocation, along with two sites in Prince George's County, Md.

The General Services Administration recommended funding a new FBI building at the current J. Edgar Hoover Building in a recommendation to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, The Washington Business Journal reports. A new building would cost $3.3 billion, compared to $3.57 billion in Springfield or Prince George's County. The agency is requesting federal funding for the new building.

GSA also proposes reducing the DC area FBI workforce to 8,300 as it moves about 2,300 staff to locations in Alabama, West Virginia and Idaho.

A committee spokesperson told the Business Journal a hearing is set for Feb. 28. GSA and FBI staff will provide testimony.

The agency cited an $882 million funding gap in last summer's decision to halt relocation to DC's suburbs. For years, federal officials have pushed Congress to sell the Hoover Building and covering remaining costs of a new building with about $2 billion in taxpayer dollars. Congress appropriated at least $523 million in May 2017 but rescinded $200 million a month later.

Springfield gets a consolation prize when the Transportation Security Administration headquarters moves from Arlington. There is no timeline yet for the relocation, which is expected to bring 3,000 jobs to the area. Meanwhile Northern Virginia is a finalist for Amazon's second headquarters.

Image via FBI