Hoyer GSA Forum Brings Together More Than 150 to Focus on Increasing Federal Presence in Prince George's County

Press Release

Concerned by Prince George's County disproportionately small share of federal leased office space within the National Capital Region, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) hosted a forum yesterday focused on how to increase the federal presence in the County. The forum, which brought together more than 150 representatives from county and state agencies, business leaders, developers, and property decision-makers from over 30 different federal offices, served to illustrate why Prince George's County is an attractive destination for future federal office space while providing an insightful overview of the federal leasing process for local leaders and businesses.

"Prince George's County is severely underutilized in terms of federal leased office space," stated Congressman Hoyer. "Despite the numerous advantages the County has to offer the federal government, we lag significantly behind our neighboring jurisdictions. This trend is disheartening, particularly given the many benefits that come with locating in Prince George's County."

According to recent studies, Prince George's County accounts for only 5 percent of federally occupied office space in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area, while other jurisdictions in the region range from 16.5 percent to 41.5 percent. This disparity exists despite Prince George's County boasting numerous benefits for federal agencies, including a growing inventory of Class-A office space, a first-rate public transit system, nearly a quarter of the region's federal employees, and a competitive cost structure that offers an estimated savings of between $8 and $26 per square foot.

"Prince George's County is home to an array of exciting development projects, and without question offers some of the best rates in the region for first-class office space," said Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson. "We have the people, the talent, and the commitment to offer tremendous support for federal agencies that locate here. We look forward to having more federal agencies become part of our community and especially bringing federal workplaces closer to the federal employees who live in the County."

Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari addressed the prospect of the unique opportunities for transit-orient development available in the County, "Governor O'Malley is committed to transit-oriented developments because they spur economic growth, increase transit ridership, reduce congestion and provide residents with a great place to live, work and raise a family. With more than 2,500 acres available around 15 Metro stations, Prince George's County offers unequaled opportunities for federal agencies to locate in Maryland with reasonable leasing rates and affordable housing nearby."

Yesterday's forum was co-hosted with the federal government's premier acquisition agency - the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) - and was attended by GSA Administrator Lurita Doan, the National Capital Region Administrator Tony Reed, and other senior GSA officials. They provided an overview of the federal lease process and their efforts in Prince George's County. GSA officials also offered tips on how to utilize government resources to learn about lease prospectuses and the needs of the federal government, and expressed an eagerness to work with county and state officials and businesses to address future federal space needs.

Along with yesterday's forum, Rep. Hoyer has taken other actions to ensure that the County receives every appropriate consideration by federal agencies in need of space. Last year, he secured legislative language that will help ensure Prince George's County receives full and equal consideration when GSA reviews future lease proposals. This language precludes federal officials from only focusing on particular communities and instead requires them to consider the full area of the prospectus. Furthermore, it also mandates that the GSA Administrator provide the Congress with an explanatory statement when the entire delineated area is not considered- thereby instituting an important measure of oversight that did not previously exist.

"Allowing lease proposals from the County to compete on equal footing should enable the cost benefits and assets of the County to help it win a greater portion of future leases," stated Rep. Hoyer.

"During my time in public office I have fought tirelessly to enhance our existing federal facilities and bring new federal agencies - either on federally owned property or leased space, here to Prince George's County," concluded Hoyer, who has represented Prince George's County for nearly 40 years in elected office. "I look forward to working with local leaders, GSA officials, and my colleagues in Congress to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and that Prince George's County is given full and serious consideration in the search for federal leased space. With what we have to offer, it is difficult to understand why anyone would want to locate anywhere else."

The Prince George's County Leasing Forum was also held in conjunction with the National Archives at College Park; Maryland Department of Transportation; Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation; Washington Metro Area Transit Authority; Andrews Business Alliance; Baltimore-Washington Corridor Chamber; Greater Bowie Chamber; Greater Prince George's County Business Roundtable; Prince George's County Black Chamber of Commerce; Prince George's County Chamber of Commerce; Prince George's Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and the Minority Building Industry Association.

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