PROVIDENCE, RI — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) submitted a spending proposal to Congress today highlighting the public building projects it plans to accomplish with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who both supported the ARRA, announced that two key Rhode Island projects, totaling over $4.2 million, are included in the GSA’s renovation plans:
Providence Courthouse: $3,932,000
John O. Pastore Federal Building: $281,000
Total: $4,213,000
The five-story, granite Providence Courthouse is located in the east end of Kennedy Plaza and is over 100 years old. The John O. Pastore Federal Building is located just across the street and houses a post office and other courtrooms.
“The Providence Courthouse has long been admired for its architectural splendor and this federal funding will help preserve this important landmark. I am pleased the GSA is planning to invest federal dollars in greening the Providence Courthouse and the Pastore Building to make them more energy efficient. This infusion of federal funding will quickly put more contractors, plumbers, and electricians back to work,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed.
“Improving energy efficiency in federal buildings like Rhode Island’s is a powerful way for government to lead by example as we build a new, green economy,” said Whitehouse. “These funds and the jobs they will sustain are welcome for our state.”
GSA’s Public Buildings Service is responsible for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of thousands of federally owned facilities for more than one million civilian employees of the federal government. The Recovery Act directs $750 million to renovate and construct federal buildings and courthouses, $300 million to renovate and construct land ports of entry, and $4.5 billion to convert federal buildings to high-performance green buildings.
The complete list of projects will be made available on-line at: www.recovery.gov.
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