• LCOR Alexandria, L.L.C. To Develop Largest Lease Ever Signed by GSA

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 1, 2000) — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced today that it has signed a lease with LCOR Alexandria, L.L.C. (LCOR) for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) space consolidation project. LCOR will develop almost 2 million square feet of office and related lease space for USPTO on the Carlyle site, located in a planned development area of Alexandria, Virginia, just south of Duke Street and across from the King Street Metrorail station.

GSA proceeded with the lease after Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, dismissed a lawsuit filed by The Charles E. Smith Companies and three Alexandria citizens. The judge's opinion affirmed that GSA had complied in all respects with the National Environmental Policy Act in selecting the USPTO's new location.

National Capital Regional Administrator, Nelson B. Alcalde said: "We are pleased that the Court validated GSA’s efforts to move USPTO into 21st century facilities and we look forward to relocating them into their new headquarters. This is especially significant since it is the largest lease ever signed by GSA." Alcalde added, "We look forward to continuing our partnership with USPTO as we move ahead with the project."

In 1995, Congress authorized GSA to lease approximately 2 million square feet of space for USPTO in Northern Virginia for a 20-year term. The Solicitation for Offers for the project was issued to the market in June 1996. The offer from LCOR Alexandria, L.L.C. was selected to meet USPTO's long-term housing needs. During GSA's evaluation process, the LCOR proposal was rated as the highest technically and offered the lowest price, thus providing the best overall value to the Government. LCOR has proposed a number of measures to mitigate the effects of the space consolidation project on the city.

LCOR’s plans are for five linked buildings in a "campus" setting. The complex is designed in a "U" configuration with two parking structures housing 1,750 vehicles each. At the closed end of the "U" will rise a signature tower - the centerpiece of the facility. Four office buildings will flank it. The complex is within walking distance of the King Street and Eisenhower Avenue Metrorail stations as well as the King Street VRE commuter train station.

LCOR has selected the internationally renowned architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, who developed the winning concept, to complete the design. Gensler Associates, an award winning architectural and interior design firm, will execute the space planning. Turner Construction, one of the largest U.S. contractors, will build the complex. GSA and USPTO will oversee the development for the Government.

Tony Costa, Assistant Regional Administrator, Public Buildings Service, said, "GSA has been working closely with USPTO on consolidation plans for more than a decade now. We are eager to begin the construction phase of this state-of-the-art facility that will improve the work environment for all of USPTO's employees."

Groundbreaking will occur in late 2000. Occupancy is planned to begin in late 2003 and USPTO should be fully relocated in 2004.

For more than a quarter of a century, USPTO has been located in leased space in the Crystal City area of Northern Virginia. USPTO presently occupies 18 separate office buildings spanning a 1.1 mile area. Since 1989, GSA and the USPTO have worked on plans to consolidate and update the USPTO office complex. The current facilities are in need of expansion and alterations to meet the USPTO's programmatic needs.