USDA to Vacate South Building as Reorganization Moves Forward

Agency cites $1.6 billion in maintenance costs as part of broader reorganization plan

Feb. 25, 2026 at 8:33pm

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has officially begun the process of transferring its largely vacant South Building in Washington, D.C. to the General Services Administration (GSA) for disposal and eventual sale. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins cited the building's $1.6 billion in delinquent maintenance costs and low occupancy as justification for the move, which is part of a broader USDA reorganization plan.

Why it matters

The transfer of the South Building is a significant step in the USDA's ongoing efforts to streamline operations and reduce costs. As the agency looks to modernize and become more efficient, shedding underutilized real estate assets like the South Building is seen as a way to free up resources for other priorities.

The details

The South Building, which sits across the street from the Jamie L. Whitten Building, has been largely vacant for years. USDA officials say the overwhelming majority of the seven-story building is unused on any given day. The plan is to transfer the building to the GSA, which will work with potential buyers to repurpose the property. USDA employees currently working in the South Building will be relocated by the end of the year, though their new offices have not yet been announced.

  • On February 25, 2026, USDA officially began the process of transferring the South Building to the GSA.
  • By the end of 2026, all USDA employees will be vacated from the South Building.

The players

Brooke Rollins

Agriculture Secretary who announced the USDA's plans to transfer the South Building to the GSA.

Stephen Vaden

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture who provided additional details on the USDA reorganization plan.

Edward Forst

Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA), which will oversee the disposal and sale of the South Building.

Joni Ernst

U.S. Senator who has worked to highlight government inefficiencies and fast-track the sale of unused federal buildings.

General Services Administration (GSA)

The federal agency that will take control of the South Building from the USDA and work to repurpose and sell the property.

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What they’re saying

“Behind me, along this entire city block, in bricks and mortar, is what government that has grown too big, too bloated, and too disconnected from its citizens looks like.”

— Brooke Rollins, Agriculture Secretary

“We have one federal government building down with $1.6 billion in repairs and millions a year in operating expenses saved. We've got many, many more of these federal government unused buildings yet to go.”

— Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator

“We're not going to take forever to do it. We're going to approach this with urgency and importance, and get it done.”

— Edward Forst, GSA Administrator

What’s next

The USDA has said there will be an announcement in the coming weeks on where the South Building's employees will be relocated, as well as additional details on the broader agency reorganization plan.

The takeaway

The USDA's decision to vacate the South Building is a significant step in the agency's efforts to streamline operations and reduce costs. By shedding underutilized real estate assets, the USDA aims to free up resources for other priorities and modernize its operations to better serve the American public.