Gov. Moore: Maryland will move forward with building FBI headquarters in Greenbelt
GREENBELT, Md. -- Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and lawmakers are welcoming the FBI's new headquarters with open arms.
In a collaborative press conference on Friday, the lawmakers explained why Greenbelt, Maryland is an ideal spot for the new building.
"At a time when the current FBI building in Washington, D.C., is literally falling apart; at a time when incidents of hate crimes are growing here at home; at a time when the nature of national security is changing, with an increased focus on cybersecurity; at a time when access to affordable transit isn't just a bonus, it's a necessity for employees in the modern workforce—in this time and in this moment, there is no question. The FBI belongs in Maryland," Moore said. "And we know we have always won on the merits. We're not just excited about this because it's the right choice for Maryland—we're excited about this because it's the right choice for the country, and it's the right choice for the FBI too. Bringing the bureau to Maryland will benefit the mission of the FBI for generations to come.
The General Services Administration's decision to select Greenbelt, Maryland, as the site of the FBI's new headquarters is facing some challenges.
Moore added that the new headquarters will bring in more than 7,500 new jobs and generate more than $4 billion in economic activity.
"We believe in the FBI. We are proud to support the FBI," Moore said. "And we are thrilled to welcome the FBI to Prince George's County."
The U.S. General Services Administration announced that the 61-acre site in Greenbelt, Maryland will be the new home for the FBI headquarters after scoring highest in four of five selection criteria:
- Greenbelt is the most transit accessible site, due to its 0.1 mile walking distance to Metro and commuter rail;
- Greenbelt provides for a consistent and predictable construction schedule as the site is owned by a public entity and offers a clear public process and timeline to achieve site control;
- Greenbelt offers the best opportunity for the government's investment to positively impact region through sustainable and equitable development;
- Greenbelt provides the lowest overall cost to taxpayers.
It will replace the crumbling J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C.
"Today is a great day for the FBI. Team Maryland stood united throughout this process as we presented the facts and made our case for why our sites were the best choice for the FBI," said Congressman Steny Hoyer. "This team was made up of people from every political background, every generation, and every level of government. Together, we put Maryland's best foot forward. Our work does not end today, and neither does this team. I speak for all of us when I say we are eager to welcome the FBI to Maryland as soon as possible."
However, Virginia lawmakers are fighting back.
A joint statement issued by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, Democratic Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and eight members of Virginia's U.S. House of Representatives delegation called for the GSA's decision to be reversed.
"We are deeply disturbed to learn that a political appointee at the General Services Administration overruled the unanimous recommendation of a three-person panel comprised of career experts from the GSA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation concluding that Springfield, Virginia, is the site best suited for the new FBI headquarters," The joint statement reads. "We have repeatedly condemned political interference in the independent, agency-run site selection process for a new FBI headquarters. Any fair weighing of the criteria points to a selection of Virginia. It is clear that this process has been irrevocably undermined and tainted, and this decision must now be reversed."
In a letter to FBI employees, FBI Director Christopher Wray criticized the GSA's decision over "concerns about fairness and transparency" and hinted that "we've still got a long way to go."
Moore said the state will work with the GSA and FBI to push the project forward. The project selection included five criteria, including the site's proximity to the FBI training facility in Quantico, Va.
"Maryland won on four of the five criteria, so the building will be in the state of Maryland. It will be in Prince George's County. We could not be more excited about the generational impact that's going to have on our state," Gov. Moore said.
Moore spoke at a press conference Friday in Greenbelt with a group of state and local leaders including Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer, and U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen. The governor, an Army veteran, referenced a phrase he learned as a serviceman.
"Nothing given, everything earned," he said. "And what we see here is this is a team that worked in unison. And this is a room that highlighted the fact that partnership produces progress. We're excited for this because this is the right decision for the country, and this is the right decision for the FBI too.
Moore said the state-of-the-art campus would "solidify our state as the tech and cyber capital of the United States." Greenbelt is also home to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
"GSA looks forward to building the FBI a state-of-the-art headquarters campus in Greenbelt to advance their critical mission for years to come. Thank you to everyone at GSA, DOJ, FBI, Congress, and others who helped reach this important milestone after a comprehensive, multi-year effort," GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan said in a statement Wednesday.
