Prince George's officials 'extremely' disappointed on HHS decision

Prince George's County officials say they are "extremely disappointment" by the U.S. General Services Administration's decision to maintain a major Department of Health and Human Services presence in Rockville for the next 15 years.

The administration's announcement last week that it had selected the Parklawn Building, which is scheduled for renovations and upgrades, comes after months of efforts by Prince George's officials to get the GSA to give their county what they considered "fair consideration" for their bid.

"GSA's decision to keep the Department of Health and Human Services in its current location is extremely disappointing," Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) said through a spokesman Wednesday.

"Prince George's County has consistently been overlooked when it comes to placing federal office tenants," the e-mailed statement continued. "To date, Prince George's County is home to over one-quarter of the region's federal workforce, but only 3 percent of federal office space leased in the region. The three competing Prince George's County locations at the Largo, New Carrollton and Hyattsville Metro Stations were outstanding locations."