[Federal Register: June 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 125)] [Notices] [Page 35168-35169] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr30jn99-91] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION Notice of Public Meeting and Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: General Services Administration, National Capital Region; Department of Transportation. ACTION: Proposed lease acquisition of a new or renovated headquarters for the Department of Transportation in the Central Employment Area (CEA) of Washington, D.C. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the lease acquisition of a new or renovated headquarters for the Department of Transportation (DOT), to be located in the CEA of Washington, D.C. GSA also announces its intent to conduct a public meeting to discuss the proposed action pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as implemented by the Council of Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, and in accordance with the Environmental Policies and Procedures implemented by GSA. Background Information DOT seeks to update its facilities, maximize efficiency, reorganize and consolidate its operations. To this end, Congress has authorized GSA, acting on behalf of DOT, to acquire up to 1.35 million rentable square feet of space under an operating lease for a term not to exceed twenty years. This procurement is designed to establish a competitive process to obtain a new or renovated headquarters for DOT. The DOT's headquarters operations are currently housed primarily in two leased locations: the Nassif Building at 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, D.C., and the Transpoint Building at 2100 2nd Street, SW, Washington, D.C. In addition, DOT occupies smaller blocks of leased space in other buildings in Washington, D.C. All of these locations are proposed to be consolidated into the new headquarters. DOT also utilizes FOB 10A as the headquarters of the Federal Aviation Administration, but these operations are not proposed as part of this consolidation. DOT first occupied the Nassif Building under a 20-year lease that commenced on January 2, 1970. A 10-year renewal commenced April 1, 1990 and expires on March 31, 2000. [[Page 35169]] Transpoint was first occupied in 1973. The current lease expires on May 15, 2003. Consolidation in a new or renovated headquarters will produce significant operating efficiencies in support of DOT's mission. This procurement is the result of a three-year collaborative effort by the DOT, GSA, the Executive Branch, and Congress. The lease acquisition for a DOT headquarters complex will be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations pertaining to GSA's acquisition of lease space. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to NEPA, the Competition in Contracting Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the General Services Acquisition Regulations, and, where applicable, the Federal Acquisition Regulation. The Government plans to conduct this procurement as a negotiated, best value source selection. Under this approach, a panel of Government officials will select the proposal that satisfies all of the Government's minimum requirements as stated in the Solicitation For Offers (SFO), and presents the greatest overall value to the Government, considering price and technical factors stated in the SFO. Notice of Intent This Notice of Intent (NOI) initiates the formal environmental review/scoping process for this proposed action. At this time, a comprehensive EIS is considered to be the appropriate means identifying the potential adverse impacts from this proposed Federal action. A public scoping meeting will be held to assist GSA in determining the significant issues related to this project. The public is encouraged to submit written comments on the potential impacts of the proposed project, means of mitigating those impacts, and project alternatives. The comments and responses received will be considered in preparing the environmental document. The public is encouraged to provide additional comments after the Draft EIS is released. GSA anticipates that the Draft EIS will be released in the Fall of 1999. Topics for environmental analysis include the short-term impacts of construction; the long-term impacts of site operations and maintenance on land use, historic resources, visual resources, physical-biological resources, public transportation, traffic and parking, public services and utilities, and socio-economic conditions within the project areas; and the cumulative impacts associated with this other future projects in the CEA of the District of Columbia. The public meeting will be advertised in local and regional newspapers. At the meeting, a short formal presentation will preclude the request for public comments. GSA representatives will be available to receive comments from the public regarding issues of concern. It is important that Federal, regional, state and local agencies, and interested individuals and groups take this opportunity to identify environmental concerns that should be addressed during the preparation of the Draft EIS. In the interest of available time, each speaker will be asked to limit oral comments to five (5) minutes. A document summarizing the written and oral comments received will be prepared and made publicly available. An informational packet regarding this project will be available for review at the public meetings or upon request to the GSA contact identified below. The informational packet and other information regarding this project will also be made available on the Internet. Agencies and the general public are encouraged to provide written comments on the scoping issues in addition to, or in lieu of, presenting oral comments at the public meeting. Environmental review/ scoping comments should clearly describe specific issues or topics that the community believes the EIS should address. Time and Location of Meeting The public meeting will be held: At 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 29, 1999 at the General Services Administration, 1st Floor Auditorium (D Street Entrance), 7th & D streets, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20407. DATES: Written comments regarding environmental review of the proposed DOT headquarters project must be postmarked no later than August 6, 1999, to the following address: General Services Administration, Attn: Mr. John Simeon, Portfolio Development Division (WPC), 7th and D Streets, S.W., Suite 2002, Washington, D.C. 20407. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Mr. John Simeon, General Services Administration, (202) 260-9586. Dated: June 25, 1999. Anthony E. Costa, Assistant Regional Administrator, Public Buildings Service. [FR Doc. 99-16669 Filed 6-29-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820-23-M