The U.S. General Services Administration kicked-off the modernization of the Federal Center South Complex with the start of construction for the Seattle District Headquarters of the U.S.

The building is expected to achieve LEED-Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

GSA awarded the design/build contract for the project to a partnership consisting of Sellen Construction and ZGF Architects.

Army Corps of Engineers. GSA Commissioner of Public Buildings Robert A. Peck and U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott joined project workers in describing the benefits of the new building to the community, the Washington state economy and the Army Corps’ mission, made possible through funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“GSA is leading the way in creating higher performing, greener federal workspaces that help federal agencies better serve the American people while building toward a more sustainable future,” said Peck. “This Recovery Act-funded project will also lead the redevelopment of the Federal Center South complex into a campus-like environment that will help revitalize the neighborhood while bringing jobs to local businesses and workers.”

GSA is investing $72 million in Recovery Act funding to develop a state-of-the-art office building that meets the current and future needs of the Army Corps and its Seattle workforce.

Among the many green features of the new building are extensive use of natural daylight, conversion of existing hardscape into low impact sustainable green space, use of recycled timbers and other building materials, and an energy-efficient HVAC system utilizing under-floor air distribution. 

“Seattle is one of the nation’s leaders in promoting energy efficiency, so I can think of no better place for this project,” said McDermott. “I want to thank the GSA for recognizing that energy conservation through building retrofits is one of the most effective and affordable ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Retrofitting the Federal Center South complex will not only be better for the city’s environment, but will create jobs and save taxpayer dollars. I hope that we will replicate this model in buildings all over the country.”

Officials also highlighted other Recovery Act projects in Washington, the recipient of more than $6 billion in total Recovery Act funding that, to day, has helped save or create more than 15,000 jobs. In Seattle, GSA has three other Recovery Act projects including replacing outmoded building systems with energy-efficient upgrades at the Jackson Federal Building, upgrading heating/ventilation and air-conditioning systems at the Federal Office Building, and upgrading the lighting at the U.S. Courthouse.

The project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2012.