Fire sale! Come one, come all!
Well… I heard the news that Trump’s decided to sell off 450 federal buildings as part of his government chainsaw massacre.
A good number of these buildings are situated in Washington, DC, nearby other government buildings. Some are historic buildings such as the headquarters of the Justice Department, FBI, and the US Department of Agriculture.
Is anyone worried about which highest bidders these properties will be sold to? Will it be China? Russia? North Korea? Iran? Being prime properties, I’ll bet they’d all love to muscle their way into a coveted spot right near the White House.
But I’m wondering if there’s some better option. I’m figuring local community leaders might do well to repurpose these buildings for a greater good... like putting these structures to use in novel ways where they can help the many instead of the few.
How about turning them into low-income housing, or transitional shelters to help all those thousands of government employees in D.C. who are being fired? I’d rather see that happen sooner than luxury condos popping up like mushrooms on federal land.
Didn’t Trump say he’d take care of the little guy? When’s that gonna happen?
I’m being dead serious. Shouldn’t we respect our land and hold fast to the foundations of institutions that are still meant to protect us? Does the Justice Department no longer need a building in which to operate? If there’s waste to cut, this ain’t the way to do it.
Bulldozing 450 federal buildings is plain crazy. It makes me wonder if Trump thinks the White House is the only government building that deserves to be standing...that still has a purpose. That seems to be the clear message here…that nothing that happens in those other buildings matters anymore. Folks should be alarmed. But maybe I’m wrong.
So, I’m wishing for a very different outcome. That’s why I’m asking you to share any thoughts or good ideas about how all these buildings can still be salvaged and put to more beneficial purposes that will have a greater social impact. I’m all ears…no ideas are off the table. I’ll send all your good ideas to my congressman and senator.
Evangel
Good wish!
I think Washington, DC could transform these buildings into wellness centers or mental health hubs to treat anxiety and depression resulting from all the layoffs.
They could also provide recruitment services to help the newly unemployed find jobs, or provide training to help people transition into new careers, especially in fields that are in need of help.
Homeless Valley
Thanks for your post! You're onto something. I agree these buildings should be put to use to help counter the social disruption hitting government employees. I think these facilities could be turned into affordable workspaces to house startup incubators, small business or non-profit work cooperatives. The nation's capitol doesn't need more people ending up homeless due to these firings--they need transitioning into another kind of work.
Slipstream
Transitional housing, or maybe they could be used as extensions of college campuses. They should be used "for good" not "for profit."
Well Street
Great ideas, all of them. A facility to improve the health and wellbeing of veterans and enlisted military members would be better than selling the buildings off to the highest bidder with no care to whom that may be.