The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) authorized the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Public Building Service (PBS) to invest $5.55 billion in federal public building projects. This includes $4.5 billion to transform federal facilities into exemplary high-performance green buildings, $750 million to renovate and construct new federal offices and courthouses, and $300 million to construct and renovate border stations. GSA recently submitted a list of proposed projects and cost estimates to Congress. Buildings were selected based on the speed at which jobs could be created and the magnitude of improved energy efficiency. 

With 60 years’ experience and expertise in the building and real estate industry, GSA is excited by this challenge to contribute to our nation’s economic recovery, address strategic energy goals, and reinvest in our public buildings. In a matter of months—once approved, $1 billion worth of projects will be awarded in 120 days—funds will start flowing to all those in the building industries: construction workers, electricians, plumbers, air conditioning mechanics, carpenters, architects and engineers.  

As an effective steward of the resources entrusted to it, GSA is moving forward with speed tempered by its responsibilities and its accountability to the American taxpayer. Projects are funded in all 50 states and all contracts will be awarded within the next two years.

Investing in its existing facilities will reduce GSA’s backlog of needed repairs and modernizations and increase the value of federal assets. The most significant effect, however, might be the greatly-improved energy efficiency and performance of these projects. For more than 30 years, GSA has been an industry leader in the arena of sustainability. This work will leverage that expertise, conserve resources over the long-term, and yield inspiring models of high-performance green design excellence. The projects funded by the Recovery Act will also reduce our reliance on costly operating leases by providing government-owned solutions for our federal customers.

GSA/PBS is the landlord for the civilian federal government. GSA/PBS manages 354 million square feet of workspace for a million federal employees. This includes 8,600 government-owned and leased buildings in 2,200 American communities. GSA/PBS helps preserve our past and define our future as a steward of more than 480 historic properties.

GSA/PBS designs and builds award-winning courthouses, border stations, federal office buildings, laboratories, and data processing centers. Additionally, PBS:

• Leases space;
• Repairs, alters, and renovates federal facilities;  
• Houses over 100 child care centers; 
• Donates or sells real estate for federal agencies;  
• Leads in energy conservation, sustainability, recycling, and historic preservation; 
• Commissions artwork for new federal buildings and conserves a substantial inventory of New Deal art.