NASA Glenn to transfer Brookpark Road buildings to GSA
By Kevin Kelley
Fairview Park
Web posted 3:00 pm May 28, 2010

BREAKING NEWS
NASA has decided to transfer its property north of Brookpark Road to the federal government’s General Services Administration.

Ramon (Ray) Lugo, acting director of NASA Glenn, announced the decision Friday afternoon. He said the GSA was in a better position than the space agency to handle the 19-acre property in a way that meets Fairview Park’s long-term needs.

Two Glenn buildings located on the north side of Brookpark Road, known as 500 and 501, lie within Fairview Park’s boundaries. City officials had feared the loss of several hundred thousand dollars of income tax revenue if the remaining Glenn contractor was forced to relocate. Glenn had planned to demolish the buildings.

Lugo said the contractor, Arctic Slope Regional Corp., will remain in Building 500 until its contract with Glenn expires in September 2011.

Officials from Fairview Park had supported a proposal by Geis Cos. to redevelop Building 500 for Arctic Slope. The proposal involved Arctic Slope temporarily moving to Building 501 while 500 was redeveloped.

While the long-term future of the property still remains uncertain, Mayor Eileen Patton said she was encouraged Arctic Slope employees are not leaving this year.

According to the GSA website, the agency has several options for federal property it acquires.

Federal law prescribes a process by which such properties are handled.

The property must first be made available to any other federal agency that needs it.

If no federal agency needs it, the property may be transferred at no cost to state and local governments, regional agencies, or nonprofit organizations if put to public use. Examples of such public use include education, law enforcement and incarceration of criminals.
If this does not occur, GSA can negotiate a sale at appraised fair market value with a state or local government if the property will be used for another public purpose. If state and local governments or other eligible nonprofits do not wish to acquire the property, GSA can dispose of surplus property via a competitive sale to the public, generally through a sealed bid or auction.

GSA also leases available space in its properties at market rates for private businesses as well as state and local governments.

Despite the legal prescriptions GSA must follow, Lugo said that agency has much more flexibility in determining the property’s future than NASA does.

Lugo said the most likely outcome is for the property to remain under ownership of the federal government with private parties funding redevelopment.

Given the legal restrictions on the property, Patton said it was “highly unlikely” the city would be able to acquire the land and sell it to a developer.

“It’s a prime location,” the mayor said. “It would likely pique the interest of a lot of people.”

Patton said the pending transfer to GSA provides a great opportunity to redevelop the property. She said she hopes its proximity to Glenn spurs some action.

“They’ve been saying for years that NASA Glenn is the economic engine for Northeast Ohio,” the mayor said. “This is an opportunity for that to really happen.”