Politics
GSA employees relocate to decaying temporary headquarters during renovations
Federal workers moved to the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building report vermin, water issues, and collapsed ceilings
The short version
- Around 1,600 General Services Administration (GSA) employees have relocated to the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building in Washington, D.C.
- Staff members have reported poor conditions in the temporary facility, including mice, cloudy drinking water, and a caved-in bathroom ceiling.
- Employees are scheduled to remain in the building until December 2028 while their primary office undergoes renovations.
Key facts
- Approximately 1,600 GSA federal employees were relocated from their primary office at 1800 F Street to the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building, which also houses Office of Personnel Management (OPM) staff.[Wired]
- Employees reported finding a dead mouse in a trap and a collapsed ceiling in a third-floor men's restroom.[Wired]
- Signs posted inside the building advise employees filling water bottles to let the water run for five to ten seconds until it is clear.[Wired]
- GSA leadership, including administrator Ed Forst, indicated that employees will remain in the OPM building until December 2028 while their previous building undergoes renovations.[Wired]
- The relocation is part of a broader government effort to optimize federal real estate and reduce underutilized space following major workforce changes.[Wired]
What remains uncertain
- It is unclear if the water quality in the building poses a health risk, as GSA and OPM did not immediately respond to requests for comment.[Wired]