Why Federal Offices Are Moving
On April 15, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled Restoring Common Sense to Federal Office Space Management, which revokes Executive Orders 12072 and 13006. These former policies prioritized placing federal offices in urban cores and historic properties. The new directive shifts the focus to cost-effectiveness and flexibility, allowing federal agencies to relocate to suburban and rural locations. While framed as a taxpayer-friendly efficiency measure, critics argue it threatens urban revitalization, undermines historic preservation, increases environmental impact, and exacerbates inequities in urban communities. The order marks a significant departure in federal facility siting policy, with widespread implications for cities, sustainability, and access to government services.