The Public Build Reform Board conducted its first meeting to try to identify at least five excess federal civilian properties to sell within six months to generate savings, Federal News Network reported Tuesday. The independent board, which was established through 2016 Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act, will need to send its recommendations to the Office of Management and Budget for evaluation and approval.
Some federal real property professionals said a civilian version of the Pentagon’s base realignment and closure process could help the board identify approximately $500 million to $700 million in excess facilities. Dan Mathews, commissioner of the public buildings service at the General Services Administration, said he thinks local community stakeholders would likely approve a more streamlined process for property sale and disposal.
“Unlike BRAC, I would think the recommendations would largely be embraced, because [the] economic potential is probably not being tapped into, or it’s an eyesore that’s been sitting there for a while, and it would allow us to move on to a better future state,†Mathews said. Some experts also suggest using of building data to help the board facilitate its decision-making process.
