Leggett talks to the Feds about real estate
Staff Writer
2011-02-05
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Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett joined this morning in Downtown Silver Spring with Senator Ben Cardin, Representatives Chris Van Hollen and Donna Edwards, GSA Commissioner Bob Peck and other senior GSA officials, Montgomery County Planning Director Rollin Stanley, Montgomery County Department of Economic Development Director Steve Silverman, and local government and commercial real estate professionals to host a forum on the federal sector's upcoming construction and leasing activity in Montgomery County. “The federal government and federal leasing activities are exceedingly important to the economic vibrancy of Montgomery County and the region,” said Leggett. “With 19 federal agencies, more than 45,000 federal workers and over seven million square feet of federally leased office space, we are firmly committed to ensuring federal facility retention and growth in the County. This is one of the top priorities of our Department of Economic Development and why they put together today’s event.” In addition to its large workforce and significant office space, FY09 federal procurement in the County was $17.5 million and the federal government had the highest average weekly wage at $1,899 per week or $98,748 per year. From the second quarter of 2007 to the second quarter of 2010, federal employment in the County had grown 12.3% to 45,133.
“With our proximity to the Capitol and educated workforce, our community is a natural fit for many federal agencies. Today’s conference allowed us to discuss ways to take advantage of opportunities to bring more jobs and economic growth to Maryland’s Eighth District,” said Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
The complete agenda from today’s event is provided below: ♦ 8:30am – Welcome Remarks – Master of Ceremonies, Steve Silverman
♦ 8:40am - Congress’s Outlook on Federal Tenancy, Maryland Congressional Delegation’s Commitment to Federal Facility Retention and Expansion Senator Benjamin Cardin
♦ 8:50am - GSA’s Rent Cap Issue and Budget Considerations Congressman Chris Van Hollen
♦ 9:00am – GSA lease process – perspective from Public Buildings Subcommittee Congresswoman Donna Edwards
♦ 9:10am - Welcome Remarks – Montgomery County’s Commitment To Federal Facility Retention, and Growth in Federal Tenancy and Private Sector Opportunity Ike Leggett, Montgomery County Executive
♦ 9:25am - GSA Policy Implications and Impact on Montgomery County Interests Robert Peck, GSA Commissioner, Public Buildings Service
♦ 9:55am - Panel on Current GSA Leasing Practices and Opportunities • Cathleen Kronopolus, Regional Commissioner, GSA, Public Buildings Service, National Capital Region • Victoria Hartke, Deputy Regional Commissioner, GSA, Real Estate Acquisition
• Chuck Garhart, Manager, GSA, Automated Advanced Acquisition Program
• Tim Sheckler, Manager, GSA, Real Property Utilization and Disposal
Division, Federal Surplus and Property Disposal Process and Opportunities
• Steve Goldin, Director of Real Estate for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• Moderator: David Winstead, Ballard, Spahr, LLC
♦ 11:10am - Innovative Commercial-Residential (CR) Zoning White Flint Master Plan and Planning for Federal Jobs Rollin Stanley, Planning Director, Montgomery County Planning Department