The FBI Headquarters in D.C.
The entire Maryland Congressional Delegation has voiced support for Prince George’s location; Sent joint letter to FBI Director and GSA Administrator.
Yesterday, U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin along with Representatives Steny Hoyer and Donna F. Edwards (all D-Md.) voiced their continued strong support for a proposed site in Greenbelt, Maryland to serve as the future home of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As a leading candidate for the new location for the FBI headquarters, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker submitted a proposal yesterday to meet the GSA’s December 17 deadline.
“We stand firmly behind Prince George’s County as the right choice for the new headquarters of the FBI and support County Executive Baker’s proposal for the Greenbelt site. Prince George’s County has the ability to donate, at no cost to the federal government, the proposed location that meets the size requirements and is located directly adjacent to a Metro station,” Team Maryland said.
The Delegation said “An honest analysis of the cost of operations, security, convenience of location for staff, transportation options, and the promotion of regional equity in federal facility distribution should make the proposed Greenbelt, Maryland site the choice location for FBI. This project would bring thousands of jobs to the County, boost our local economy and generate additional revenues for our community. As GSA continues to move forward with the process of selecting a site, we will be working closely together to advocate for bringing this project, and the new economic opportunities that will accompany it, to Prince George’s County.”
Earlier this year, Senators Mikulski and Cardin along with the entire Maryland Congressional delegation, including Representatives Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Chris Van Hollen C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Donna F. Edwards, Andy Harri and John Delaney, sent a letter to the heads of the FBI and GSA that strongly support a site in Prince George’s County, Maryland, for the future home of the FBI. Their letter notes a Maryland state report that found 43 percent of FBI employees call Maryland home, more than any other jurisdiction. A copy of that letter is available here.
Pat
Meanwhile… “Virginia Gov.-elect Terry McAuliffe and Virginia officials back Springfield for FBI relocation.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/virginia-gov-elect-terry-mcauliffe-and-virginia-officials-back-springfield-for-fbi-relocation/2013/12/17/3d9543e0-6753-11e3-8b5b-a77187b716a3_story.html
It will be an interesting political battle. Ultimately I fear the wrong decision will be made to accommodate political priorities, but we will see…
Bill Smith
Not so sure I would like the spillover effects from the FBI in Greenbelt, primarily due to security. The developer is already asking for an additional 10 acre security buffer from property that belongs to the state of Maryland.
Also aren’t there rules on how close a federal government building housing an organization of this type has to be from a railroad? A school?
Once something happens here or elsewhere those buffers are sure to be expanded.
Pat
Bill, it’s actually remarkable how small of a buffer you need to protect even from large threats like explosive railcars, etc. I think 100 feet of building setback from the nearest road is all that’s required with modern blast-proof walls/windows/doors, etc. This facility is already going to be secured to the max for a federal building, so I don’t think they’ll need to increase it further after it’s built.
In addition, think of the positive effects: increased property values, jobs, improved quality of retail and dining nearby, etc.
Fazlul Kabir
Bill,
I asked that question to the developers. According to them, the proposed 9 acre security easement is intended both to round out the security perimeter and to place the eastern boundary of the security perimeter beyond the stream channel to minimize any impact to the stream valley. They think it has the added benefit of ensuring a more robust eastern security buffer with the closest building lying at least 300 feet from the boundary. Also, a minimum 100 foot set back from public spaces (roads, etc.) is required for level V security without having to use additional facility security features.
Outside of the 100 foot setback the developers do not believe that there are minimum distance requirements from schools, railroad tracks or other hazards or community facilities but close proximity is generally disfavored. It is important to note that setback requirements have generally become smaller in recent years and that unlike other ISC Security levels, security requirements for level V facilities are not published.
Hope this helps.