U.S. General Services Administration
Administrator Roth, Mayor Rawlings-Blake and Nate Loewentheil, Senior Policy Advisor at the National Economic Council, Announce Sale of Metro West
Sale of Metro West Complex to spur economic development in Downtown Baltimore and save the federal government more than $3 million a year in maintenance costs
Baltimore, MD -- Today the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Administrator Denise Turner Roth, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and Nate Loewentheil, head of the President’s Task Force for Baltimore and senior advisor on the White House National Economic Council, announced the sale of the Metro West facility in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.
“Early on, GSA worked hand in hand with the community to return this property to the city tax rolls and spur economic growth and stability in downtown Baltimore,” said GSA Administrator Denise Turner Roth. “Leveraging the presence of the federal government as a catalyst for economic development here in Baltimore and in communities nationwide is at the heart of my vision for our agency’s future.”
The disposal of this property is expected to yield more than $3.2 million a year in savings for the federal government while also serving as a catalyst for economic development in the heart of downtown Baltimore. The 1.1 million-square-foot Metro West facility recently sold for more than $7 million in a property auction.
“The sale of Metro West is an important step for Baltimore City to continue development and economic growth on the West side,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “I am looking forward to seeing the vision of the new development team for this important section of our city.”
This step builds on other actions by the Obama Administration to invest in Baltimore, including supporting in workforce programs, infrastructure and public health programs. For example, over the last year, the Administration worked with Mayor Rawlings Blake and One Baltimore to create job pathways for young people by launching Tech Hire, a new workforce development program, and invested $5 million for workforce demonstration projects through the One Baltimore for Jobs Initiative.
“Over the past year, the Obama Administration has made big investments in Baltimore in areas like workforce development, infrastructure and public health,” said Nate Loewentheil, who also serves as the head of the President’s Task Force for Baltimore. “The sale of the Metro West Complex is another important step forward for economic development in the city and a great example of how the federal government can leverage a wide range of tools to support cities like Baltimore. The Administration looks forward to working with Mayor Rawlings-Blake and city leaders in the months ahead."
GSA is committed to disposal of underutilized real estate to help promote economic development within cities and communities, while getting the best value for American taxpayers. Since 1987, GSA has conveyed over $3 billion worth of property across the United States. To learn more about GSA’s disposal process, please visit here.
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