Rep. Shontel Brown Demands Transparency on Controversial Sale of Cleveland’s Celebrezze Federal Building

Congresswoman Shontel Brown Demands Transparency on Cleveland Federal Building Sale — What’s Really Going On?

There’s a big shakeup brewing in downtown Cleveland, and Rep. Shontel Brown isn’t buying the government’s story without proof. The Warrensville Heights Democrat has publicly pushed the General Services Administration (GSA)—the folks who handle government buildings—to lay out the facts behind their plan to sell the Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building.

Why? Because the GSA claims that selling the iconic steel-and-glass skyscraper and leasing back space for its current tenants will save taxpayers a whopping $149 million. But Brown wants to see the full numbers and the detailed plan before Cleveland gets locked into what she calls a “bad deal” for the city, federal workers, and taxpayers alike.

Why is the Celebrezze Building on the Chopping Block?

First off, let’s get a feel for what’s at stake. The Celebrezze Federal Building is no small fry—it’s the largest federal property in Ohio, boasting nearly 1.2 million square feet of office space on East 9th Street in downtown Cleveland. Built in 1966, this building isn’t just brick and mortar; it’s named after former Cleveland Mayor Anthony J. Celebrezze, who also held prestigious roles under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.

Inside, the building houses more than 4,000 federal employees from agencies like the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the IRS, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. That’s a significant chunk of the federal workforce right in the heart of Cleveland.

Now, the GSA is saying this giant facility needs about $180 million in capital repairs just to meet workplace standards—a hefty price tag. Their solution? Sell the building, then lease back the necessary office space for those agencies. According to the agency, this move fits into a broader federal strategy to “rightsize” government real estate under the Trump administration, trimming costs and improving efficiency.

Shontel Brown Isn’t Convinced — And Here’s Why

Brown fired off a letter to Acting GSA Administrator Stephen Ehikian, demanding a full and transparent breakdown of how the government came up with the $149 million savings figure. The Congresswoman is especially concerned about the quick timeline—Trump’s administration wants to wrap this up in just three years—which she fears could end up costing taxpayers more in the long run.

In her letter, Brown asked for:

• The comprehensive 30-year net present value (NPV) analysis comparing the cost of owning the building versus selling it, including relocation and leaseback expenses.

• The property appraisal that GSA relied on.

• A complete list of current tenants and detailed plans on how they’d be relocated.

• All communications between GSA and agency heads about the sale and tenant moves.

• Correspondence with potential buyers, along with any ties those buyers might have to GSA staff or federal employees.

• Documentation proving GSA is following all federal laws on property sales.

Why all the fuss? Brown insists that rushing into this deal without answering these questions risks poor government decisions and could cause lasting harm to Cleveland communities that depend on these federal services.

“If their numbers are truly solid, they should have no problem releasing them,” Brown said bluntly. “Clevelanders and federal taxpayers deserve nothing less than complete transparency and adherence to federal processes that protect their interests.”

What About Local Politicians? Mixed Views Surface

While Brown calls for transparency, there are other voices with a different take. For example, Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Westlake, pointed out earlier this year that many federal buildings across the country have occupancy rates as low as 12%. He argued the government should be shedding unused properties to cut costs. Moreno even suggested that if Cleveland officials think the Celebrezze building is worth keeping, they should step up and make an offer.

“If they think it’s a building that’s useful, they should buy it,” Moreno said plainly.

The Bigger Picture: What’s Driving the Sale?

The GSA frames the sale as part of a strategic push to rightsize federal real estate holdings nationwide, echoing President Trump’s push to cut waste and optimize government spending. The agency’s statement highlights the massive capital investment needed to bring the Celebrezze building up to modern workplace standards—around $180 million. From their perspective, selling and leasing back space sounds like a win-win: save on upfront renovation costs and better manage property assets.

However, critics like Brown argue that this outlook overlooks the economic impact on downtown Cleveland and the practical consequences for federal workers and service quality. The building currently supports thousands of employees providing vital services. Moving them could disrupt those services and hurt the local economy that benefits from their presence.

What’s Next? The Path Forward

At the heart of this debate is a call for accountability. Brown’s letter essentially challenges the GSA: Show us the receipts. Without transparency, it’s impossible to verify whether the proposed sale truly benefits taxpayers or if it’s a rushed decision that shortchanges Cleveland’s needs.

Brown’s request for detailed analyses and communications aims to peel back the curtain on the decision-making process. This kind of thorough review is crucial, considering the scale of the transaction and its potential ripple effects.

Quick Facts & Key Points

• Building Size: 1,194,675 square feet, largest federal property in Ohio.

• Year Built: 1966.

• Current Tenants: Over 4,000 federal employees from multiple agencies.

• Estimated Repairs Needed: $180 million to meet workplace standards.

• Government Savings Claimed: $149 million from sale and leaseback plan.

• Timeline: Proposed sale within 3 years, per Trump administration directive.

• Congressional Action: Rep. Shontel Brown demands full financial and operational transparency.

• Local Politics: Mixed views, with some pushing for government downsizing and others cautioning on impact.

Why This Matters

This issue is about more than just a building. It touches on taxpayer dollars, federal services, local economies, and government accountability. With the federal government controlling such a huge footprint across the country, decisions like these set a precedent.

Cleveland is watching closely. Residents, workers, and officials want to ensure that whatever happens with the Celebrezze building doesn’t leave them worse off. And Rep. Brown’s push for transparency is a clear signal that the federal government can’t simply make decisions behind closed doors—especially when it involves community resources and millions of taxpayer dollars.

Bottom Line

Whether you’re a federal worker, a Cleveland taxpayer, or someone who cares about responsible government, this story has real implications. The Celebrezze Federal Building sale proposal highlights the tension between cost-saving government initiatives and the need to protect local communities and services.

As Brown puts it: “Rushing to dispose of the Celebrezze building without a full accounting risks poor governance and lasting damage.”