On Friday, December 19, 2025, members of Lambda Alpha International, George Washington Chapter (LAIGW) and professionals from across the planning, real estate, historic preservation and public policy fields gathered at Clyde’s of Gallery Place for an engaging discussion on the work of the Public Buildings Reform Board (PBRB) and its implications for federal real estate management and local communities. The event offered an opportunity for attendees to network before turning to a timely conversation on how the federal government is reassessing its extensive portfolio of public buildings.
The discussion focused on the Board’s mandate under the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act (FASTA), which charges the PBRB with identifying underutilized or obsolete federal properties and recommending them for consolidation and redevelopment. Participants examined the Board’s recent recommendations and the challenges inherent in federal real property management, including deferred maintenance, inefficient space utilization, and complex approval processes involving multiple federal agencies.
Beyond fiscal efficiency, the conversation highlighted the broader land use and redevelopment implications of federal properties. Attendees emphasized the importance of early and meaningful coordination with local governments, planners, and community stakeholders to ensure that surplus federal properties can be successfully reintegrated into surrounding neighborhoods in ways that align with local plans and community priorities. The event concluded with a shared recognition that federal real estate reform extends well beyond cost savings. The work of the Public Buildings Reform Board has the potential to shape urban redevelopment, influence local planning outcomes, and create new opportunities for communities, underscoring the value of continued dialogue among federal, regional, and local stakeholders.
View the speaker’s presentation by clicking here ➡️: The Public Buildings Reform Board’s Work and Its Implications for the Federal Footprint Across the National Capital Region
For more information, contact:
David Winstead Esq. – dlwinstead@comcast.net
Paul Walden – paul.walden@pbrb.gov
