GSA Plans Department of Homeland Security Consolidation

The General Services Administration is planning to consolidate the Department of Homeland Security on the site of the historic St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. The $3.4 billion, 4.5 million-sf project will be the largest public works project since the construction of the Pentagon. The Department of Homeland Security will relocate 14,000 of its 26,000 employees in the region (currently housed in 70 buildings in 40 separate locations) to the new campus by 2016. The project is supported by $650 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Construction will begin in September of 2009 on the first phase of the project, a $341 million headquarters for the United States Coast Guard. Completion of the Coast Guard facility is expected by winter of 2013. In addition to extensive redevelopment of the 176-acre St. Elizabeth’s campus, a 750,000-sf facility will be built on an adjoining 170-acre campus.