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EXCLUSIVE: The Division of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Commonwealth of Virginia will announce Wednesday that the company would be the first main cupboard division to relocate out of Washington, D.C. throughout President Donald Trump’s time period.
Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and HUD Secretary Scott Turner are set to christen the company’s new house on the already present Nationwide Science Basis (NSF) constructing in Alexandria’s Carlyle-Eisenhower neighborhood, which can also be house to a Wegman’s grocery retailer, a movie show and a number of other outlets and high-end eating places.
HUD’s current headquarters on L’Enfant Plaza can also be on the Senate DOGE Caucus’ listing of buildings they wish to see offered off to save lots of taxpayer funds. The curved X-shaped granite constructing, formally known as the Robert C. Weaver Federal Constructing, is “underutilized,” in line with their rubric.
Turner famous that the relocation will unlock a whole bunch of tens of millions in taxpayer financial savings and deal with severe well being issues amongst employees at L’Enfant.
“It’s time to flip the web page on the Weaver Constructing and relocate to a brand new headquarters that prioritizes the well-being of HUD workers and correctly displays the fervour and excellence of our workforce,” Turner informed Fox Information Digital.
“There are severe issues with the present state of HUD’s headquarters, together with well being hazards, leaks, and structural and upkeep failures. Many of those dangers will needlessly and irresponsibly proceed to soak up taxpayer {dollars}. Relocating is about extra than simply altering buildings; it’s a couple of mission-minded shift that we hope will encourage each worker.”
Turner, a former Washington Redskins cornerback, added that it additionally aligns with President Donald Trump’s imaginative and prescient for a “New American Golden Age.”
Youngkin was equally enthused about HUD’s transfer to the Outdated Dominion.
“Virginia is a good place to be headquartered, and we’re excited to welcome the Division of Housing and City Improvement and their over 2,700 headquarters-based workers to the perfect state in America to dwell, work, and lift a household,” Youngkin informed Fox Information Digital.
Amid plans by then-Elon Musk-led DOGE to relocate federal staff, Youngkin confronted criticism for not talking out extra forcefully towards the administration — criticism that largely fizzled after Wednesday’s announcement revealed the brand new headquarters can be only a few stops from downtown Washington on the Metro’s Yellow Line.
“Because the Trump administration began remodeling the federal authorities to raised serve the American individuals, our workforce has been centered on seizing the brand new alternatives that this presents for the commonwealth,” Youngkin stated. “Virginia is the proud house to many private and non-private sector headquarters, and we thank HUD management for trusting us and are dedicated to supporting your necessary nationwide mission.”
Youngkin had taken slings and arrows over his assist for such DOGE efforts, together with from Virginia Senate Majority Chief Scott Surovell, D-Mount Vernon, who beforehand criticized his place on federal worker relocation.
“That is about individuals’s jobs, their lives, their capability to assist their households, and it is about the way forward for the Virginia economic system,” Surovell told VPM.
The HUD relocation, nevertheless, falls simply throughout Cameron Run Creek from Surovell’s district.
Michael Peters, the commissioner of the Basic Companies Administration, which manages federal actual property, praised the transfer to Virginia, saying it displays his company’s dedication to fiscal accountability and “mission effectiveness.”
Investments to-date within the Weaver constructing totaled $90 million over the previous 15 years, together with plaza, roof and façade repairs.
HUD expects “important demand” from the personal sector for its outdated house – situated simply east of the Smithsonian, south of the Nationwide Mall and inside strolling distance of the brand new Waterfront Wharf social space.
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Housing and City Improvement Secretary Scott Turner, left and Gov. Glenn Youngkin. (Getty)
Mould and asbestos containment have plagued the constructing, which additionally has solely about half of its elevators in working operation.
The company additionally famous there are about 1,000 extra workers at HUD versus NSF – which they calculated to impact a $51-per-square-foot financial savings on constructing utilization and upkeep.
Fox Information Digital additionally reached out to Senate DOGE Chairwoman Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, for remark.
Fox Information Digital’s Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.
