Montgomery County Out as Potential HQ for FBI; Moran Touts Springfield Before Congress

The agency in charge of reviewing sites for the new location of FBI headquarters is currently reviewing responses to the recent request for information (RFI). According to the Office of Supervisor Jeff McKay, about 35 responses were received.

One of the six potential sites being considered is located in the Springfield area across from the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station. The new FBI facility will be the work location for about 11,000 people, according to The Huffington Post.

Springfield has one less entity competing for the headquarters.

Supervisor Jeff McKay is pushing for the FBI to relocate to Springfield, stating previously that the site is close to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station and just a Virginia Express Rail ride away from Quantico.

Kevin Perkins, associate deputy director of the FBI, made a statement last week before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on FBI Relocation, including these remarks: "Working with our partners at GSA, we have proposed locating a new Headquarters within the National Capital Region. Generally, the site should be served by mass transit, have adequate surrounding highway infrastructure, and be in substantial conformance with local land use plans."

Congressman Jim Moran (D-11th), whose district includes parts of Springfield, in remarks last week to the same committee, supported the Springfield location: 

“While my top priority is to support efforts to locate the FBI Headquarters in Virginia, I would like to mention one location in Virginia’s 8th District that I believe would be ideal for this facility, a GSA warehouse located in Springfield, Virginia," Moran said, in a release of the prepared remarks. "Situated on approximately 60 acres, the location could easily accommodate over 3.5 million square feet of highly-secure office space and allow for the productive use of underutilized government-owned real estate.  The property also provides ample space for the FBI to accommodate potential future growth.

“Given recent local challenges created by BRAC relocations, I believe this Subcommittee should consider sites that would require the least amount of offsite infrastructure to support the traffic that would result from the relocation.  In this regard, the Springfield location is unique. Between extensive improvements to Interstate 395, the Express Lane Project on the Beltway, and the completion of the Fairfax County “Parkway to Ft. Belvoir, over $1 billion has been invested in the road network in and around the this site.  The Springfield site is also located next to the Franconia-Springfield Metro station, Amtrak and VRE rail lines, and is served by an effective bus system.  The presence of both a high quality road network and mass transit options will help to promote efficient traffic flow and minimize the impact on the local community."

The next step in the search for the relocated headquarters will be to issue a request for proposal (RFP). At the moment, there is no information about when a decision about the new location will be made.

See also:

SPEAK OUT: Should FBI Headquarters be Located in Springfield?

Supervisor Jeff McKay Asks Metro to be Fair in Choosing FBI Location

Springfield Area Being Considered for FBI Headquarters

McKay Supports FBI Relocation to Springfield

Supervisors Want FBI to Come to Kingstowne