(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced plans to move the Department of General Services (DGS) to a new location on Minnesota Avenue NE in Ward 7. In accordance with the Mayor’s Order directing the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and DGS to identify potential relocation properties in Wards 7 and 8, the District has signed a Letter of Intent to build a new headquarters at 3924 Minnesota Avenue, NE.
“Even as we continue working together to protect our community and stop the spread of COVID-19, the work to bring opportunity and prosperity to every neighborhood continues,” said Mayor Bowser. “We are excited to bring our DGS headquarters to Minnesota Avenue. My charge was to use our resources and leasing power to attract much-needed retail, amenities, and jobs, and that is what we will do for the residents of Ward 7.”
The project is part of Mayor Bowser’s East of the River leasing strategy that includes using District Government buildings as a catalyst for economic growth in communities currently experiencing underinvestment and needing retail, including grocery stores. The Mayor issued the Request for Space on behalf of DGS in September 2019.
“DGS moving its headquarters to Senator Square represents significant progress toward our efforts to spur the revitalization of downtown Ward 7, especially Minnesota Ave, NE. The influx of dedicated government workers provides essential work-week foot traffic that boosts daytime spending at Ward 7 small businesses and new sit-down restaurants as the District emerges from COVID-19,” said Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent C. Gray. “I will continue to work with a sense of urgency to accelerate economic development efforts in Ward 7 by pursuing and supporting important projects like the relocation of the DGS headquarters, which will have a catalytic effect for increasing amenities and creating many new jobs for Ward 7 residents.”
“Mayor Bowser has directed our team to generate more economic activity in Wards 7 and 8 to provide more residents an opportunity to prosper, and one tool is moving our own District agencies East of the River,” said Acting Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio. “We are intentional about setting up our communities up for long-term success and the day-time traffic from offices allows us to attract neighborhood amenities that our residents can enjoy seven days a week.”
“DGS is excited to bring its nearly 700-member workforce East of the River to support Mayor Bowser’s strategy to bolster the Ward 7 community,” said DGS Director Keith A. Anderson. “Our team stands ready to continue to build, maintain and sustain District communities in all eight wards, from our new location and are pleased we have made this major step toward relocation.”
“We are excited about the opportunity to have DGS as the office anchor tenant of Northeast Heights, the signature redevelopment of Northeast DC which will create a dynamic destination to work, live, shop and dine,” said Robin Zeigler, chief operating officer of Cedar Realty Trust. “This transaction will be one of the most significant office leases in the area, and it reflects our success at creating a working relationship with the district for the betterment of the entire community. In transforming the two existing shopping centers into a mixed-use asset that will also feature office and residential use, we are bringing a vibrant property to the area, and ensuring Ward 7's continued prosperity for many years to come.”