FCC Could Pack Up And Find A New Home After GAO Decision
A key decision from the Government Accountability Office could force the FCC to find a new place to play.
Republic Properties Corp, the FCC’s current landlord for its digs in Southwest DC, has lodged several protests over the GSA's search terms for a new agency HQ. On Wednesday, the GAO denied the protests, which could make it difficult for Republic to retain the agency, the Washington Business Journal reports.
The FCC currently makes its home in Portals II at 445 12th St SW, where the agency leases 602k SF in a lease set to come up for renewal in October 2017. The GSA issued a request for lease proposals as part of its search for an alternate home for the FCC, which prompted the protest. The FCC is looking for 473k SF and The Wharf, not far away, could be a contender.
Among the biggest points of contention in Parcel 49C’s protest are a first-floor ceiling height requirement that would lead to costly changes to the building, plus an additional requirement in the RLP which called for a dual source of power for the building.
It’s not clear if Republic intends to contest the ruling further. Perhaps some of the company’s focus will shift back to Republic Square II, its spec office building in NoMa. Back in November, the company inked the National Association of Counties and the National League of Cities to lease 78k SF at the 200k SF building at 660 North Capitol St. [WBJ]
