SAVANNAH, Ga. — A federal government building in downtown Savannah is officially slated for demolition as part of the U.S. General Services Administration’s push to reduce the federal real estate portfolio.

The Juliette Gordon Low Building A at 120 Barnard St., on Telfair Square’s northeastern trust lot, is slated for demolition starting May 25. GSA has cited multiple recurring maintenance issues and the lack of a foreseeable federal tenant as reasons for the demolition.

“After an evaluation of the building’s current condition and its long-term viability for federal use, GSA has concluded the building is not suitable for continued use due to significant deferred maintenance requirements,” a GSA spokesperson stated.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson announced the news at a press conference, adding that GSA’s decision requires no permissions or permitting from the city of Savannah. Juliette Gordon Low Building A is not a contributing structure within Savannah’s Downtown Historic District. Contributing resources are buildings or sites that add to architectural or historic value that makes a district significant.

Demolition is expected to take three months, and GSA has plans to restore the site with grass and landscaping, according to a GSA memo shared with the city of Savannah and obtained by the Savannah Morning News. GSA also plans to extend security fencing from the nearby Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse as well as install exterior lighting and security cameras at the site, according to the memo.

Multiple traffic impacts are anticipated during demolition, including full closure of State Street between Whitaker Street and Barnard Street for two to four weeks, the memo states.

“We recognize we may not be able to control what happens, but we can make sure that the public knows what we know,” Johnson said.

The building is currently unoccupied by any federal services. Recently, it has been used as construction offices during a renovation of the Tomochichi complex, the GSA spokesperson stated. Specific deferred maintenance issues at Juliette Gordon Low Building A include recurring roof leaks, a nonfunctional elevator, plumbing problems, and an aged HVAC system with limited function, according to GSA.

The Trump administration has sought to “right-size” the federal government’s real estate portfolio. The effort was launched in April 2025 via an executive order aimed at allowing agencies to assess office space based on cost-effectiveness and “mission suitability,” according to a White House fact sheet.

GSA manages roughly 363 million square feet of space across 8,397 buildings, including courthouses and post offices in addition to office buildings, according to GSA’s website. The agency stated in a Jan. 20 press release that it has disposed of 90 properties and reduced its portfolio by 3 million square feet.

Juliette Gordon Low Building A is the first known planned demolition in Savannah during Trump’s second administration.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the Savannah Morning News and then was distributed on the USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.

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