(Patriot.Buzz) – Due to becoming a crime and drug-ridden hotspot, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is advocating for the closure of the Speaker Nancy Pelosi Federal Building in San Francisco. Originally intended to be a symbol of openness to the public, the building has transformed into a staple of unsafety and decay, making it hazardous for government workers and the general public alike.
Describing the state of the building, Sen. Ernst likened it to a scene from a dystopian movie, with frequent reports of muggings, gunfire, and a staggering number of drug overdoses in the vicinity. In just the first half of this year, the surrounding area has witnessed nearly 150 drug overdoses and 33 deaths.
The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for the building, which houses multiple government branches, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Due to safety concerns, the HHS instructed its employees to work remotely.
Citing the availability of other safer federal facilities in San Francisco, Sen. Ernst stated, “With at least five other federal facilities within the San Francisco area… I am calling for the offices and workers within the Speaker Pelosi Federal Building to be relocated and the building shut down until it is no longer a threat to public safety.”
Built in 2007, the building was envisioned as a “model for civic sustainability” with an eco-friendly design, a layout that favored employee collaboration, and a spacious plaza for public access. However, by 2019, the GSA acknowledged the plaza’s failure owing to “complex social issues” and initiated redesign efforts.
Local reports describe a grim scene outside the building, with citizens having to navigate past unsanitary conditions and evidence of drug use. An employee shared the distressing experience of witnessing such conditions daily.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, a chain-link fence now surrounds the building to prevent access to its benches, which had become a hotspot for drug dealers.
Sen. Ernst communicated her concerns to GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan, emphasizing the building’s deteriorating reputation. She remarked, “Ironically, the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building is instead a symbol of the way government doesn’t work…”
Highlighting the irony of the situation, Sen. Ernst awarded the Pelosi Building her “Squeal Award,” which she grants monthly to instances of governmental ineptitude.
Originally named the San Francisco Federal Building, it was renamed in honor of Speaker Nancy Pelosi in recent years.
