U.S. General Services Administration
PRESS RELEASE: GSA celebrates completion of two major modernization projects at the Denver Federal Center
Press Release
U.S. General Services Administration
For Immediate Release
September 12, 2024
Contact: Rich Stebbins, 303-513-1166
richard.stebbins@gsa.gov
GSA celebrates completion of two major modernization projects at the Denver Federal Center
Building 48 warehouse has been transformed into a net zero building of the future; modernized Building 53 will save taxpayers nearly $12 million annually by replacing commercial leases
DENVER - The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) celebrated the successful completion of two major projects on the Denver Federal Center (DFC) in two separate ribbon cutting ceremonies Thursday. The modernization of Buildings 48 and 53 showcases GSA’s leadership in decarbonizing the federal footprint and making federal buildings more energy efficient while saving taxpayer dollars, creating clean energy jobs, and strengthening American leadership and competitiveness.
The completion of these federal building projects furthers the goals of President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan, which directs federal agencies to lead by example and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, including net-zero emissions from all federal buildings by 2045.
The modernization of Buildings 48 and 53 are part of a long-term space strategy developed by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and GSA to consolidate space utilization, energy efficiency and lease cost savings on the DFC.
To help commemorate this joint effort, GSA Deputy Administrator Katy Kale and Joan Mooney, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Management and Budget for DOI both spoke at each event.
“GSA is committed to making sure that federal buildings across the nation are efficient, resilient, and smart investments of taxpayer dollars,” said Deputy Administrator Katy Kale. “We are showing that you can have buildings that support healthy communities while ensuring the American people get the government services they expect and deserve – right here at Denver Federal Center.”
“In partnership with GSA, we’ve proactively implemented a sustainability mindset throughout the planning and building process in modernizing these two existing buildings to decrease energy costs,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget Joan Mooney. “Working together, we’ve also created workspaces that are healthier, more welcoming and that encourage collaboration.”
The $53 million Building 48 modernization project converted vacant warehouse space into a highly efficient, modern work environment using high performing building systems. Through this warehouse conversion, GSA reactivated and monetized a vacant, federally owned structure and decreased embodied carbon by 87% through reuse. The newly renovated 150,000 square foot facility will use 100% renewable energy to make it a high-performance green building. The all electric facility will be net zero energy as well as net zero operational carbon. This building showcases the GSA’s leadership in decarbonizing the federal footprint and making federal buildings more energy efficient while saving taxpayer dollars, creating clean energy jobs, and strengthening American leadership and competitiveness.
Building 48 will now house the DOI’s Interior Business Center (IBC), which offers acquisition, financial management and human resources systems and services to federal organizations. Moving into this new facility allows IBC to consolidate their workforce from three separate lease locations saving taxpayers $6 million annually.
The $74 million Building 53 modernization project revitalized a mostly vacant building with extensive upgrades to the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire systems, and the buildout of new tenant spaces. Other improvements include a new roof and a newly designed lobby. The completed project will bring in five new federal agencies, including two DOI bureaus, with nearly 1000 new employees to the campus. Bringing in these new agencies will eliminate seven private market leases saving taxpayers nearly $12 million annually.
“GSA has pushed for the use of building materials that help reduce the effects of climate change with products made right here in America to help reduce our energy costs and save taxpayer dollars,” said Rocky Mountain Regional Administrator Denise Maes. ”This focus enables us to produce better facilities so other federal agencies have what they need to deliver on their missions to serve the American people.”
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About GSA:
GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing about $100 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. The GSA’s Rocky Mountain Region provides products and services throughout Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. For more information, visit GSA Region 8 and follow us at @US_GSAR8.