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GGD-00-208R 1 (2000-09-28)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaalma0001 and id is 1 raw text is: I ~GAO Accountability * Integrity * Reliability United States General Accounting Office General Govermnent Division Washington, D.C. 20548 B-286151 September 28, 2000 The Honorable Jo Ann Emerson The Honorable Don Young House of Representatives Subject: Feasibility of Moving the Forest Service From the Sidney Yates Building This letter responds to your requests concerning the feasibility of moving the Forest Service's Washington, D.C., employees from the Sidney Yates Building into the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) South Building. It discusses (1) the estimated occupancy level of the modernized South Building, (2) the feasibility of moving Forest Service employees and other operations housed in the Sidney Yates Building into the South Building or other space, and (3) the feasibility of the Sidney Yates Building being used for other purposes, such as a museum. Results in Brief USDA currently estimates that upon completion of its modernization, the South Building will house 6,800 employees. This would be an increase of about 300 employees over the number of employees that were housed in the South Building before the modernization. However, this would be a decrease of almost 1,700 persons from its initial estimate of 8,488 persons made in 1991, when USDA began exploring the possibility of modernizing its South Building. According to USDA officials, the initial figure of 8,488 was based on preliminary assumptions that the building could be reconfigured to increase the occupiable office space by almost 21 percent. These assumptions were later found to be impractical. For example, USDA determined that the attic could not be converted to office space because it had to be used for the building's new mechanical systems. In addition, USDA's space consultant concluded that the need for additional restrooms, shafts, and telecommunication rooms would actually decrease the amount of office space in each wing of the South Building. Further, USDA officials told us that historical preservation requirements limited their ability to make changes to the South Building that would have increased the amount of office space by eliminating most corridors. While relocating the Forest Service from the Sidney Yates Building could be accomplished if necessary, it would be costly and it could not be done quickly. Because the South Building is currently undergoing a modernization and does not have vacant space available, it cannot house the functions from the Sidney Yates Building at this time without disrupting the renovation in progress. As phases of the South Building modernization are completed, USDA plans to relocate as many employees as possible from space leased from the private sector to GAO/GGD-00-208R Feasibility of Moving the Forest Service Page 1

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