Ltr Sen Grassley Post office bl50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) 589-4110 office
(563) 5894149 fax
ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org
April 1, 2003
VIA E-Mail and
1st Class Mail
The Honorable Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator
136 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Grassley:
Thank you for your March 13, 2003 response to my letter regarding the status of the
Dubuque Post Office Building.
The City did meet with GSA officials concerning the potential 18-month process of
conveyance of the building to the City, and those discussions were favorable to both
parties.
However, our immediate concern is the loss of the Social Security Administration from
this building in downtown Dubuque.
Our understanding is that federal offices are required to locate in GSA facilities.
We do not understand why the Social Security Administration needs to move
from this building.
· Our understanding is that current GSA regulations and Executive Orders require
the Social Security Administration to stay downtown in our urban center.
· GSA regulations of January 18, 2001 require federal agencies to give first
consideration to central business districts.
Executive Order 12072 regulates that the process for meeting Federal
space needs in urban areas shall give first consideration to the Central
Business District downtown, including areas which may be recommended
by local officials.
The Honorable Chades E. Grassley
April,2003
Page 2
Executive Order 12072 requires consideration of the availability of existing
federally controlled facilities, and the utilization of buildings of historic
significance. The existing GSA Dubuque Post Office building meets these
requirements.
Executive Order 13006 reaffirms Executive Order 12072 by encouraging
the location of Federal facilities in central cities, and requires the Federal
Government to utilize and maintain, wherever operationally appropriate
and economically prudent, historic properties located in central business
districts.
Therefore, the purpose of this letter is to ask what can be done to keep the Social
Security Administration in the existing Dubuque Post Office Building, and if that is not
possible, what can be done to prevent the agency's move from our downtown Central
Business District?
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:wb