⚫ This amount was appropriated for a site adjacent to the present GPO complex but will not be expended if an alternate site is approved in the 1980 budget.

Object Classification (in thousands of dollars)

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

ACQUISITION OF SITE and GENERAL PLANS AND DESIGNS OF BUILDING

For necessary expenses for acquisition of site, and general plans and designs of building for the Government Printing Office, $19,396,000 to remain available until expended, and to be available for transfer to the General Services Administration. (Authorization Pending.)

SUMMARY AND JUSTIFICATION OF APPROPRIATION ESTIMATES FOR ACQUISITION OF SITE AND GENERAL PLANS AND DESIGNS OF BUILDINGS, FISCAL YEAR 1980

In 1956, the Joint Committee on Printing directed the Public Printer to investigate the possibility of expanding the Government Printing Office's warehouse facilities.

In 1961, as a result of that investigation and study, requests for funding were submitted and the Congress authorized the construction of a four-story and basement fireproof annex to the Government Printing Office (Public Law 87-373). However, the growing space requirements soon made it apparent that additional space, over and above that provided by the annex, would be needed. Consequently, Public Printer Harrison asked the General Services Administration to delay action on the annex until such time as the Government Printing Office could reexamine its overall space requirements.

After discussion with officials of Congressional committees and the General Services Administration, a decision was made to attempt relocation of the Government Printing Office to a plant designed and engineered to meet our specific needs. Several sites were reviewed and discussed with officials in and out of Government. Eventually, the decision was made to remain at the present location and to attempt to solve the Government Printing Office's space dilemma through expansion adjacent to its present location.

In July of 1973, representatives of the National Capital Planning Commission recommended relocation of the Government Printing Office within the District of Columbia on a site located in the New York Avenue industrial corridor.

The Commission has developed a master plan for renewal of the downtown area which includes the present Government Printing Office site. This area is to be converted to visitor-oriented purposes, including hotels, motels, and office buildings. Conversion of Union Station, which is located one block east of the present Government Printing Office, into a Visitors Center has already been completed.

The Government Printing Office which is an industrial type operation does not fit in with the Commission's master plan and therefore a study was made by the Commission to relocate the Office. The study forecasts a growth in the Federal Government with a continuing need for government printing. The availability of sites in the District of Columbia, economic factors, accessibility to transportation, and objectives of the Commission were all considered and resulted in the recommendation to relocate the Government Printing Office to the site in the New York Avenue industrial corridor.

This area has been designated for industrial purposes and is served by several highways, railroads, and the new Metro transit system. The site is approximately a 10-minute drive to the Capitol and offers

sufficient space for the present Government Printing Office complex, parking lots, and Documents warehousing operations.

A new Government Printing Office (GPO) is required to consolidate and provide operationally efficient space to accommodate the 7 major operational areas now housed in the grossly inadequate federallyowned complex on North Capitol and H Streets Northwest, and in 8 leased facilities scattered at several suburban locations. The requirement for improved operational facilities for the GPO has been recognized by the Congress and the Public Printers for over 20 years. The basic deficiencies in the existing plant include: documents storage areas costing $1.6 million annually in leased locations, separated by the city from one another and removed from central user agencies and the general public; a paper storage warehouse located 16 miles from the printing plant; a materials handling system that relies wholly on freight elevators and industrial trucks for product distribution; lack of space to accommodate straight line arrangements of production equipment; limited floor load capacities and low ceilings resulting in an inability to use large, faster and more efficient press equipment; and the lack of area required to utilize the efficiencies of mechanization, automation, and the latest advances in printing technology.

Construction of a new Government Printing Office is considered the most desirable means of providing for its combined requirements. This solution will permit the consolidation of all GPO operations into a single, modern, functionally efficient facility. It will replace the present outdated buildings on North Capitol Street and supporting leased warehouses located in the suburbs. It will improve agency operations, provide a centralized location to consolidate common use facilities, reduce utility consumption, promote more cost effective management of materials, space, and personnel. In addition, continually increasing operating costs and annual expenditures for leased space can be eliminated. Finally, if located on the Brentwood Site it will also help to promote the objectives of the city and the National Capital Planning Commission, by serving as an anchor for further planned development in the area, by attracting other related businesses, thereby improving the District's economic base and helping to stem the flow of jobs from the District to nearby suburbs.

The General Services Administration has estimated total construction costs for the new 1.8 million square feet GPO to be about $188.1 million. Resources requested in fiscal year 1980 ($19.4 million) will provide funding for site relocation, partial design and review, and part of the management phase.

In accordance with a resolution adopted by the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives on June 13, 1978, the General Services Administration has investigated the feasibility and need for construction of a new Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.

The GSA has determined that a new facility is needed to consolidate and provide operationally efficient space to accommodate all major operational areas now housed in the inadequate federally owned complex and in eight leased facilities scattered at several suburban locations. This project contemplates consolidation of all GPO operations into a single, modern, efficient, industrial-type Federal building of approximately 2,077,000 gross square feet and 1,818,000 occupiable square feet, including 130,000 square feet of open roof parking. GSA is to serve as the design and construction agency.

In summary the GSA Report states:

Need for a new GPO facility has been recognized since 1954. Present building deficiencies include lack of straight-line layout of production equipment; and outdated materials handling system comprised principally of elevators and fork trucks; and limited weight and height capacities which preclude the use of faster and more efficient press equipment, as well as the ability to utilize automation and available advances in printing technology.

Savings available with a new straight-line facility are estimated at over $17.1 million annually. This figure includes the reduction by 396 employees and 600,000 square feet of space from current levels which can be achieved by the improved efficiency of the new layout, as well as savings in materials handling, utility costs, and the elimination of $2.1 million in annual leasing costs.

Several studies dealing with contiguous expansion versus relocation have recommended relocation to a light industrial complex in the Northeast corridor (New York Avenue). This relocation enjoys the support of the National Capital Planning Commission, District of Columbia Government, the Joint Government/Industry Advisory Board, the District of Columbia Council, the District of Columbia Board of Trade and the Printing Industries of America.

The proposed site is served by the New York, Rhode Island, Brentwood Avenue road nets, is adjacent to the Metro Rhode Island Avenue Station, and has excellent rail facilities.

On June 13, 1978, President Carter "concluded that the new facility is indeed warranted" and designated it as a public building, pursuant to section 13 of the Public Buildings Act of 1959.

On August 2, 1978, the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation, pursuant to the provisions of section 7 of the Public Buildings Act of 1959, approved the construction of a new Government Printing Office. We need the approval of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and of both Appropriation Committees before site acquisition and design can begin.