A Host of Bright Ideas

Release Date: Thursday, November 17th 2011

We won’t know until early next year who’s been selected to redevelop the Old Post Office Pavilion (1100 Pennsylvania Avenue). Although the business community had until July 20 to submit proposals to the General Services Administration (GSA), the agency announced the number of ideas received exceeded its initial expectations—thus, causing a delay in today’s scheduled selection of a preferred developer until 2012. Unlike in 2005, when the GSA first issued a solicitation for the historic building, receiving nearly two dozen proposals and then canceling the solicitation, this latest request for proposals (RFP) appears destined to succeed.

Why? Several members of Congress not only want it to happen sooner rather than later, but a number of stellar proposals are on the table. An agency statement released last night said, “While GSA is pleased with the enthusiastic response, the selection panel has requested additional time to complete a fair and thorough review of the numerous complex proposals that were submitted.” For a look at some of the heavy hitters wanting to revitalize the 400,000-square-foot (SF) edifice, click here.