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Rats, Leaks and Broken Elevators: Repair Backlog Plagues Federal Buildings
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- Federal employees across the U.S. are working in buildings with persistent health and safety issues due to decades of deferred maintenance, estimated to cost up to $50 billion.
- The Trump administration's push for federal workers to return to offices exacerbated risks by increasing occupancy in buildings with longstanding problems.
- Federal law requires congressional approval for major building repairs over $3.96 million, causing lengthy delays averaging 435 days and escalating project costs.
- For example, the John F. Kennedy Federal Building in Boston has seen repair costs rise over 400% since 2016, with ongoing issues including outdated elevators that have trapped people multiple times.
- These maintenance backlogs and bureaucratic hurdles threaten the safety and functionality of federal buildings nationwide.
