GSA Wins Preservation Award

Society for History In the Federal Government Honors GSA Courthouse

College Park (Vocus) March 21, 2008 -- The National Historic Landmark Pioneer Courthouse in Portland, Oregon has won the Society for History in the Federal Government’s prestigious 2007 John Wesley Powell prize for historic preservation, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced today.

GSA’s modernization of the Pioneer Courthouse was recognized as a model project for its exemplary physical renovation, innovative technical upgrades and commitment to strong public-involvement.

Restoring the spectacular Pioneer Courthouse has helped us meet our responsibility to the people of Portland, fulfill our overarching mission, and enhance our reputation as a leader in Federal preservation.

“GSA has a tremendous responsibility to preserve our nation’s historic landmarks for this generation and all that follow,” said Administrator Lurita Doan. “Restoring the spectacular Pioneer Courthouse has helped us meet our responsibility to the people of Portland, fulfill our overarching mission, and enhance our reputation as a leader in Federal preservation.”

The courthouse opened in 1875 and remains the single-most important 19th Century government building in the Pacific Northwest. The site of nationally significant trials and hearings, it redefined Portland’s city center. Improvements began as far back as 1903, with the addition of two west-facing wings, and continued at various times through 2007. The recent improvements restored historical features and readied the building for another century of continued court use.

“After serving the federal courts for the last century, this building stands today as one of GSA’s historic properties that remains a true treasure in our inventory,” said GSA’s Commissioner of Public Buildings David L. Winstead. “Our agency has risen to the forefront of the preservation profession, gaining recognition for policies and model practices, and making preservation integral to our business.”

GSA’s preservation program is responsible for saving part of Portland’s historic past, as well as helping to shape its future. A film documenting the building’s history and preservation is available by visiting www.gsa.gov/historicbuildings.com.

GSA provides a centralized delivery system of products and services to the federal government, leveraging its enormous buying power to get the best value for taxpayers.

• Founded in 1949, GSA manages more than one-fourth of the government’s total procurement dollars and influences the management of $500 billion in federal assets, including 8,600 government-owned or leased buildings and 208,000 vehicles.
• GSA helps preserve our past and define our future, as a steward of more than 420 historic properties, and as manager of USA.gov, the official portal to federal government information and services.
• GSA’s mission to provide superior workplaces, expert technology solutions, acquisition services, purchasing and E-Gov travel solutions and management policies, at best value, allows federal agencies to focus on their core missions.
• Did You Know? Twenty-five percent of GSA’s owned buildings are historic.

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