Environmental Challenge Could Delay TSA HQ Move
Undisclosed environmental issues could delay the planned move of the Transportation Security Administration to its new HQ at Victory Center in Alexandria.
A lawsuit was filed with the US Court of Federal Claims on Sept. 25 by Boston Properties to protest the General Services Administration's pick for the new TSA HQ. An alternate location near the Franconia-Springfield station for the HQ was submitted by the real estate trust and not selected. Full details of the suit have not been made public as it was filed under seal, but the judge granted a temporary restraining order to extend one of the lease provisions until Oct. 9. In his findings, Judge Charles Lettow wrote that Boston Properties had demonstrated the potential that environmental issues exist that would hamper the build-out, completion or occupancy of Victory Center.
Boston Properties had also filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office in August, which was dismissed once the developer filed its federal claims. An environmental assessment prepared by the GSA with assistance from Stantec found that both the Alexandria and Springfield locations have environmental issues that need to be addressed. [WBJ]
