After ponying up a big fat zero for 2012, the federal government appears on track to fund the Department of Homeland Security’s move to the St. Elizabeths Hospital campus next year, giving a big boost to the city’s plans to redevelop the Southeast campus.
A Senate appropriations committee has approved President Obama’s recommendation of funding the move with $89 million for 2013 while a House appropriations committee has approved $34.5 million for the move, according to the office of D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton.
“With funding from both houses in this tough budget year, the project has its mojo back,” Norton said.
The funds will be used for moving the Coast Guard headquarters, the first building in the complex to be completed at St. Elizabeths, as well as for infrastructure, transportation, and pedestrian access to the St. E’s West Campus.
The news will give a boost to the East Campus redevelopment, which is being run by the District. Mayor Vincent Gray has said he wants to create a hub there for the city’s growing tech community and has been in talks with Microsoft about opening an innovation center at St. E’s. No deals have been inked yet but with a more certain future and timeline for DHS’s move, many believe the companies and developers are sure to follow.
