Congressional action still is needed to house some of the thousands of jobs destined for Fort Belvoir on a 70-acre cut of federal land in Springfield, Belvoir and General Services Administration spokesmen said Monday, despite announcements last week implying the move was a done deal.
Fort Belvoir issued a “clarification” after an announcement Friday by Northern Virginia congressmen that some of the 22,000 jobs destined for Belvoir would instead move to a rail-accessible site now owned by the GSA. The site now serves as federal warehouse space.
The agreement between Army and Virginia officials to use the GSA site appeared to represent a turning point for the massive job shift, mandated under 2005 Base Realignment and Closure orders. Officials said the GSA parcel would help prevent an expected traffic nightmare.
But now a key part of that agreement appears less certain.
“It’s not a done deal,” Belvoir spokesman Don Carr said.
The jobs must move onto Fort Belvoir under BRAC law. Legislation now being considered by the U.S. Senate would make the GSA land part of the base, which would make the move possible.
“Legislative action is required,” GSA spokesman Michael McGill said.
McGill said the agency is now in negotiations with congress and the Army to relocate its tenants elsewhere.
“Contrary to some reports, these buildings are intensely used, and we need warehouse space,” he said.
