C&P Newswire
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The fate of one of Downtown Cleveland’s most significant federal buildings has been thrown into uncertainty following an announcement by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to proceed with its sale. The Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building, home to thousands of federal employees, has been placed on the GSA’s non-core property list, igniting concerns from local leaders about the impact on the city’s economy and government services.
Speculation surrounding the closure and sale of the building has been ongoing since its appearance on a federal disposal list earlier this month. Though the listing was briefly removed, it reappeared without explanation, confirming the government’s intent to divest the property.
Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) did not hold back in her criticism of the decision, calling it a “slap in the face” to Cleveland.
“The Celebrezze building is a critical cornerstone for Cleveland’s federal operations and a vital anchor for the downtown economy. This reckless and short-sighted fire-sale will disrupt essential federal services and undermine the city’s critical investments in the downtown economy,” Brown said in a statement.
Brown also expressed concern over the lack of clear relocation plans for the over 4,000 employees currently working in the building. With federal agencies including the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) all housed in the Celebrezze Building, the potential displacement of these offices could have far-reaching consequences.
While the federal government has indicated it will seek short-term lease agreements to accommodate displaced agencies, Brown remains skeptical about the feasibility and adequacy of this solution.
“There is no guarantee that suitable relocation options will even be secured,” she warned. “The likely outcome is therefore not merely disruption—it is a direct reduction in federal employment in Ohio, with serious consequences for the local economy.”
Federal employees, already grappling with return-to-office mandates and job insecurity, now face an additional layer of instability. Brown specifically criticized the government’s handling of its workforce, stating that public servants should not be treated as “collateral damage in reckless cost-cutting schemes.”
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne have joined the opposition, urging the federal government to reconsider the sale. They argue that maintaining federal ownership of the building is crucial for keeping essential services in downtown Cleveland and preserving the area’s economic stability.
With the sale expected to take place within the next three years, the city’s leaders are racing against time to prevent what they see as a detrimental blow to Cleveland’s economic landscape.
As Cleveland watches this situation unfold, many questions remain unanswered: Where will federal agencies relocate? Will job losses follow? And most critically — can this decision be reversed before it’s too late?
