- Over 200 federal facilities across 40 states face lease termination
- IRS, Fish & Wildlife, and Bureau of Indian Affairs hardest hit
- Deadlines range from June 2024 to January 2025 for relocations
- Total affected space exceeds 2.5 million square feet
- Rural communities could lose critical USDA and SBA services
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has initiated the largest federal office consolidation in a decade, targeting underutilized facilities nationwide. Newly released documents reveal 87 agencies must renegotiate leases or vacate properties by staggered deadlines, with some closures beginning as early as August 2024.
Analysis shows the IRS National Office accounts for 15% of affected locations, including major hubs in Franklin, TN (135,373 sq ft) and Mesa, AZ (24,853 sq ft). Environmental agencies face significant cuts, with 28 Fish & Wildlife Service locations and 12 NOAA facilities slated for closure. The move follows a 2023 GAO report showing 37% of federal office space sits vacant daily.
Regional impacts vary dramatically: Alaska stands to lose 9 facilities including critical NOAA weather stations, while Puerto Rico faces service reductions at 4 USDA offices. A case study in Rapid City, SD shows three separate Bureau of Indian Affairs closures (4,911-17,107 sq ft) that tribal leaders warn could delay healthcare enrollment by 6-8 months.
Industry experts suggest the plan could save $180M annually but warn of hidden costs. Relocating 14,000+ federal workers during peak remote work adoption creates paradox,notes Brookings Institute analyst Mara Velez. The GSA has allocated $47M for hybrid workplace transitions but hasn't clarified how field services will maintain operations.
Final decisions rest with individual agencies, though the March 10th memo mandates substantial footprint reductionsby FY2025. Congressional leaders from both parties have demanded transparency about service continuity, particularly for agricultural support offices in election-year battleground states.