Montpelier federal building, Google Maps image.
Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) today released the following statement after the Government Services Agency (GSA) – the arm of the federal government responsible for overseeing federal buildings – announced this week its decision to dispose of 87 State Street, Montpelier’s federal building that was damaged in the July 2023 flooding.
Prior to the flooding, this building was home to the U.S. Post Office, the Courthouse, Department of Agriculture, the Small Business Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service. Centrally located in the Vermont state capital’s walkable downtown and easily accessible to local public transportation, the building served as a hub of activity and service for Montpelier residents and all of central Vermont.
The decision, following 17-months of inaction, was made with virtually no input from the people of Montpelier and without any consultation with Vermont’s congressional delegation.
“This decision to shutter the federal building in Montpelier is nothing short of outrageous,” said Sanders. “Instead of quickly fixing this critical community institution, GSA is abandoning Vermonters who still require access to the services that this building provided. For nearly a year-and-a-half, GSA gave every indication that the federal building would reopen. The decision to walk away from this building may be final, but it must not mean the end of federal support for Montpelier. This community, which was devastated by flooding in 2023 and again in 2024, is owed support from the federal government so it can rebuild stronger than it was before. GSA must use its authority to move as quickly as possible to convey the property at no cost for the public benefit and the U.S. Postal Service must commit to reopening a permanent, full-service facility in Montpelier’s walkable downtown. We will do everything we can to ensure the federal government does not abandon Montpelier, even as it abandons this building. Together, we can turn this news into something positive for our capital city and our state.”
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 — Sen. Bernie Sanders
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