The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would take over the registered office of the National Science Foundation (NSF) (2415 Eisenhower Ave.), moving more than 1833 NSF employees who are currently working there.
HUD secretary, Scott Turner, and the governor of Virginie Glenn Youngkin would have planned to announce the takeover on Wednesday, June 25, according to information provided to Dan Garisto journalist by several staff members of the NSF. The transition will occur over the next two years.
Update after the press conference on Wednesday: HUD announces the resettlement of the National Science Foundation building in Alexandria
“There is no planning for the NSF, no identified future location, creditor for a new building or a move,” a member of the NSF staff in Garisto told.
Local 3403 section of the American Government Employees, which represents NSF workers, confirms the takeover in a official declaration Released on Tuesday. The union said they received an opinion on Tuesday afternoon on the planned announcement.
Turner made specific accommodation requests in the building, which was completed in 2017, according to NSF staff. These include an executive suite dedicated to the 19th floor, the construction of an executive dining room and parking spaces reserved for its five cars.
The secretary of the HUD also requests an exclusive use of an elevator and a space on the 18th floor to accommodate its executive assistants. The plans potentially include a gymnasium for Turner and his family.
“Neither the management of the NSF nor the OSTP was involved, and the decision was rather motivated by the secretary of the HUD, Scott Turner, who will imminently take the 18th and 19th floors of the NSF building (who will be smoked?)”, Reports Garisto.
Local AFGE 3403 did not receive detailed information on the relocation plan. The union expresses its concern about the lack of communication and planning of displaced employees.
“While secretary Turner and his staff are busy enjoying private meals and a personalized gym, NSF employees are moved without plan, without communication and without respect,” said the union.
The union criticizes the calendar of takeover, noting that this occurs after the administration has reduced the subsidies of the budget, staff and administration sciences of the NSF while obliging employees to find themselves in office work.
“This insensitive contempt to the dollars of taxpayers and NSF employees comes after the administration has already reduced the budget, staff and NSF science subsidies and forced to enter the office,” said the press release.
The displacement affects a large part of the NSF workforce. The union initially reported 1,833 employees working in the seat building, later issuing a small correction to confirm this number.
AFGE local 3403 section characterizes the situation as government waste, contrasting allegations to reduce expenses with funding for what they describe as palaces in the form of palaces.
“At a time when they claim to reduce government waste, it is incredible that government financing is redirected to build a palace type office for the secretary of housing and urban development,” said the Union.
The union calls for the hypocritical approach, describing it as an “approach to the location of the government” which is “really abasourable”.
Garisto, who reported on the social media platform for the first time Bluesky, clarifies his supply after questions arise on the credibility of the information.
Take of control represents an important disruption for the National Science Foundation, which finances scientific research in the United States. Agency employees have already experienced recent changes, including budget cuts and compulsory return to office.
An NSF employee, who wrote in Alxnow on the state of anonymity, provided the following additional history on Tuesday evening, attributing it to the “NSF staff”.
I would note that yesterday, the director of the OSTP, the director of the OSTP, Kratsios, participated in a massive press conference announcing the first images of the NSF -Doe Telescope Vera C. Rubin, – an ultramodern installation with potential for collision with the earth, understanding of the night sky allowing a matter of opportunities for the discovery of our universe – Opportunities for discovery about our universe – which already has a cost $. in dollars and will require continuous operating and maintenance funds during its lifespan. That is to say, of course, if NSF continues to exist. If the displacement results in where the result of plans is to dismantle the agency, this $ 541 million is a cost in a decomposition telescope.
Any disruption of NSF operations, following this apparently imminent takeover, will have an impact on black holes, the detection of gravitational waves, the database that has been used to form the alphafold winner of the Nobel Prize, advanced agriculture and resilience, and the management of the Antarctic American program which is both a key scientific company and geopolitically critical.
In addition, NSF employees when they asked questions about the presence of HUD leadership at QSF HQ at least three times recently have been continuously assured that no takeover would occur. It is until this afternoon.
The specific calendar for the two -year transition remains uncertain, as well as the operations movement process and NSF staff. The union indicates that it has not received detailed information on how the trip will be managed.
Requests for changes in the construction of Turner suggest that in -depth renovations may be provided for the upper floors of the NSF headquarters. The construction of an executive dining room and a potential gym would require significant changes in the existing space.
The involvement of the governor of Virginie Youngkin in the announcement of tomorrow indicates coordination at the level of the state in the takeover of the federal building. The role of the governor in the process was not detailed in the information available.
This story is developing. Do you have advice or information to share on this subject? E-mail (Protected by e-mail).