The White House is considering selling two major federal buildings in San Francisco, including the recently renamed Nancy Pelosi Federal Building.
This move has sparked controversy, especially given the building’s location in an area plagued by crime and safety concerns.
The Buildings in Question
The Nancy Pelosi Federal Building, located on Mission and 7th streets, is a 18-story tower that was previously known as the San Francisco Federal Building.
The building was dedicated to the former House Speaker in December, but its location has been a source of concern due to the open-air drug dealing, illegal markets, and other crimes in the area.
The Trump administration is also looking to sell the 1930s-era federal building at 50 United Nations Plaza, which currently serves as the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) regional headquarters.
Safety Concerns and Controversy
In 2023, hundreds of federal employees working at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were instructed to work from home due to worsening safety concerns.
The area has been plagued by drug dealing, and Sen. Joni Ernst even demanded the building’s closure. Former Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier believes that the sale is a form of payback by Trump, targeting Democrats and California.
The Buildings’ History and Criticism
The Nancy Pelosi Federal Building was once ridiculed by Trump as one of the “ugliest structures” in San Francisco.
The building, which was opened in 2007 at a cost of $144 million, has been criticized for being a waste of taxpayer money.
Developer Andy Ball, who worked on the building, estimates that the costs were about 50% greater than if the project had been funded by the private sector.
The Potential Sale and Its Implications
The potential sale of these buildings comes as the Trump administration continues its efforts to downsize federal government bureaucracy. The move could have significant implications for the city, especially given the current vacancy rate in downtown San Francisco, which reached 37% last year. The sale could also raise concerns about the displacement of federal employees and the impact on the local community.
What’s Next?
As the Trump administration moves forward with its plans to sell these buildings, residents and officials are left wondering what’s next. The Federal Protective Service has ramped up security at the corner of 7th Street and Mission Street, but everyday citizens are still concerned about their safety. The building, which houses offices for several government agencies, including the Social Security Administration and the Department of Transportation, is a significant presence in the area. Only time will tell what the future holds for these buildings and the community surrounding them.