News Summary
Kansas City is focused on four federal properties, including the historic Richard Bolling Federal Building, identified as non-core assets by the GSA for potential sale. This could save taxpayers over $430 million annually as the government seeks to divest around 440 properties nationwide. Concerns arise among local employees regarding job security and service delivery as the GSA commences market research on these properties.
Kansas City Office Buildings in the Spotlight for Potential Sale
Oh, Kansas City! A city known for its jazz, BBQ, and now some of its historic office buildings which could be up for sale soon! That’s right—around 440 federal properties have been identified by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for potential disposal, and four of them are right here in the Kansas City metro area. Now that’s a big shake-up!
What Does This Mean?
The GSA has deemed these buildings as “non-core assets”, which means they aren’t really central to the national functions of the government. This decision has far-reaching implications, especially since we’re talking about a staggering 80 million square feet of rentable space being considered for divestment!
One big reason for this potential sale is the longstanding funding deficiencies that have rendered many of these federal buildings functionally obsolete. Imagine paying to maintain a space that isn’t being fully utilized—sounds pretty wasteful, doesn’t it? The GSA believes that by disposing of these non-core assets, they could save over $430 million a year. That’s a lot of taxpayer money that could be redirected to more pressing concerns!
Local Affected Properties
So, which buildings in Kansas City are we talking about? The most notable one is the Richard Bolling Federal Building, located at 601 E. 12th St.. This building is a hefty one, measuring over 1 million square feet and it’s also home to important tenants like the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Fun fact: Its architecture even bears similarities to the United Nations building in New York City, and it was designated a historic place in 2021. Talk about a landmark!
Then we have some additional properties that are also on the potential chopping block, including buildings on Bannister Road. These places are home to the U.S. Marine Corps IT Center and various offices for the Department of Defense, covering an area of about 556,000 square feet.
Not Just Kansas City!
While Kansas City residents may be getting the spotlight, they aren’t the only ones affected. Just across the state line, the Social Security Administration office at 850 Nebraska Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas, with about 14,000 square feet of space, is also in the mix. Missouri isn’t left out either. The Hannibal Federal Building and the Charles F. Prevedel Federal Building in Overland, along with some other federal buildings in St. Louis, are also listed among those under scrutiny.
What Happens Next?
Now, before anyone grabs their “For Sale” signs, it’s important to know that no official decisions have been made yet about the fate of these buildings or their current occupants. The GSA has removed its initial list of non-core assets from its website, calling it “coming soon” rather than fully diving into the sale process.
The GSA’s Public Building Service is set to kick-off some market research and will be reaching out for feedback regarding how to handle these properties. And that’s where things might get a bit tricky!
Community Concerns
Among the chatter about potential sales, there are some ripples of concern—especially among those working for the Social Security Administration in the region. There are whispers about job security and how potential office cuts might impact service delivery during an ongoing wave of agency restructuring.
This is certainly a monumental period for Kansas City, as the government has already sold over 1,000 properties since 2015 with more divestment proposals on the table. Will our local landmarks be next? Only time will tell!
So, let’s keep an eye out on how this story unfolds. Whether you are a local business owner, a government worker, or just a Kansas City fan, the future of these facilities could have a bigger impact on our community than you might think.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Uncertain Times for Social Security Workers in Kansas City
Grandview’s Housing Boom: New Developments Unveiled
Additional Resources
- KSHB: GSA Identifies 4 Kansas City Area Federal Properties for Disposal
- KCTV5: Four KC Buildings Deemed Non-Core by Federal Government
- Kansas City Star: Local Federal Properties Under Review for Sale
- Data Center Dynamics: Former CenturyLink Office and Data Center Space for Sale
- Wikipedia: Kansas City
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
