Trump administration to relocate NSF headquarters from Virginia to become HUD's new base
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced its decision to move its headquarters from the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building in downtown Washington, D.C., to the current National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia. The move, expected to occur over the next two years, will involve approximately 2,700 HUD employees relocating to the NSF building, which currently houses about 1,800 NSF employees.
**Timeline and Process**
The General Services Administration (GSA) is coordinating the transition, working with both HUD and NSF to ensure a staggered relocation plan that minimizes disruption. The move is planned to take place as quickly as possible, although no specific timeline has been set.
**Impact on NSF Employees**
The relocation will displace more than 1,800 NSF employees currently housed in the Alexandria headquarters. As of now, no definitive new location for these employees has been announced. The GSA has committed to assisting NSF in finding alternative workspace, but the future of the NSF headquarters in Alexandria remains uncertain.
The move has raised concerns about potential disruptions at NSF, a crucial federal research agency responsible for supporting major scientific advancements and innovations in the U.S.
**Motivation for the Move**
HUD is leaving the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building due to severe long-term infrastructure, safety, and health issues. The building would require nearly $500 million in repairs over four years to meet federal safety standards. Additionally, HUD argues that the move will result in cost savings, with more than $22 million in annual operational expenditure reductions.
**Local Government and Community Response**
Alexandria city officials have welcomed HUD as the first cabinet-level agency to relocate there and are committed to retaining the NSF headquarters and its employees in the city if possible. Meanwhile, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has expressed enthusiasm for HUD's move from D.C. to Virginia.
The move of HUD employees from D.C. to the NSF building in Alexandria, Virginia is the first of many expected federal building transitions. The Trump administration is pushing forward with efforts to scale down and relocate significant portions of the federal real estate portfolio, with HUD's headquarters being one of the targeted buildings.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents NSF employees, has criticised the planned move, stating it as "absurd" and "dumbfounding." Furthermore, AFGE has also criticised potential renovations to the Alexandria office building, such as an executive suite for the HUD secretary, construction of an executive dining room, and a new gym.
In conclusion, HUD's move from downtown D.C. to the NSF building in Alexandria is underway, with a planned two-year staggered relocation timeline. The move will displace NSF employees and requires finding new facilities for them, a process still unresolved. The transition is driven by the deteriorating condition of HUD's current headquarters and aims to improve operational efficiency while potentially impacting NSF’s operations and workforce.
The relocation of the federal workforce from the HUD headquarters to the NSF building in Alexandria, Virginia is envisioned to reimagine office space for both departments, with the former housing approximately 2,700 HUD employees and the latter seeking suitable alternative workspaces for its displaced 1,800 employees. Overseeing the transition, the General Services Administration aims to manage financial implications, ensuring cost savings of over $22 million annually in operational expenditure for HUD.
