Construction of new facility for Social Security Administration underway.

Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake joined local officials and top federal officials from the Social Security Administration and the U.S. General Services Administration to break ground on a new twin-building facility, which will be home to up to 2,300 employees of the Social Security Administration. Mayor Rawlings-Blake was joined at the ceremonies by City Council Member Rikki Spector; Robert A. Peck, Commissioner of Public Buildings for the U.S. General Services Administration; Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security; and Vernon L. Simms, chief of staff for U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings.

“We are grateful to the Social Security Administration and Governor Martin O’Malley for their vision and commitment to expanding transit-oriented development in Baltimore,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “This new facility will keep jobs in Baltimore and serve as a major anchor for the ongoing revitalization of this community.”

“It has been a pleasure working with the City of Baltimore to develop this new state-of-the-art facility for GSA and the Social Security Administration,” said Rod Lawrence, a partner with The JBG Companies. “We look forward to providing the government a transit-oriented, environmentally sound development at the Reisterstown Metro Station and hope that it is a catalyst to spur future mixed-use projects around the station.”

The JBG Companies and Klein Enterprises will develop the 538,000 square foot, environmentally advanced complex, which will be located in northwest Baltimore at 6100 Wabash Avenue. It will replace the existing SSA Metro West facility.

“To achieve 21st century quality, our employees need 21st century tools,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. “Our new Wabash address is another example of our continued efforts to modernize our systems and enhance our service to the public.”

In November 2011, JBG and Klein Enterprises closed on a land purchase from the Maryland Department of Transportation. SSA will occupy the new 11-acre campus, which is situated directly opposite the Reisterstown Metro Station. The facility will feature two office buildings—five and seven stories respectively—with supporting components organized around a central atrium space. The facility will also include a parking garage and day care center. An array of environmentally friendly elements, including a green roof and a large park area, will serve as an industry example of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®), and will support JBG’s goal to obtain LEED Silver certification.

JBG, in a partnership with Klein Enterprises, a Baltimore-based real estate firm, will develop and own the building and lease it back to the Social Security Administration, pursuant to a 20-year lease with GSA. AECOM is the project architect and Clark Construction will oversee the construction efforts for the project. The project is expected to deliver in 2014.