The Biden administration has announced the selection of a location for a new FBI headquarters in Maryland, ending a fierce competition between Maryland and Virginia. The General Services Administration (GSA) confirmed on Wednesday that the site for the state-of-the-art headquarters will be in Greenbelt, about 13 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. The decision was reached after a comprehensive, multi-year effort involving various government agencies, Congress, and other stakeholders.

According to the GSA, Greenbelt was chosen as the best site due to factors such as its low cost to taxpayers, excellent transportation access for FBI employees and visitors, and a predictable project delivery schedule. The selection process, which has been ongoing for more than a decade, faced recent concerns from the FBI regarding the site selection. However, the GSA assured that the chosen location in Greenbelt would effectively support the FBI's critical mission for years to come.

Democratic Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland expressed his satisfaction with the selection, highlighting the advantages of the Greenbelt location, including access to mass transit and cost-effectiveness for taxpayers. Cardin emphasized that the decision was not driven by political considerations but rather by the need to fulfill a longstanding requirement for a new consolidated headquarters.

Maryland's elected leaders, in a joint statement, welcomed the decision and emphasized their commitment to meeting equity goals set by President Joe Biden. They also pointed out the advantages of locating the headquarters in Prince George's County, which has a majority-Black population. Maryland Governor Wes Moore stressed that choosing Greenbelt would expedite the construction process, save taxpayers $1 billion, and align with Biden's equity objectives.

While Maryland celebrated the decision, Virginia leaders expressed frustration and disappointment. Senator Mark Warner criticized the alleged political interference in the GSA's established selection process, calling it reminiscent of tactics employed during the previous administration. Warner, along with Senator Tim Kaine, emphasized the strong case for Virginia, which is home to the FBI Academy. They highlighted the state's successful track record in attracting major companies, including Amazon.

The GSA's announcement of Greenbelt as the chosen location came after changes were made to the selection criteria in July. The new criteria increased the weight given to cost and social equity concerns to 20% each, while decreasing the importance of proximity to the FBI Academy from 35% to 25%. The discussion on replacing the outdated J. Edgar Hoover Building, which has been ongoing for 15 years, faced delays during Donald Trump's presidency, with a focus on rebuilding on the existing site in Washington, D.C.

Springfield, Virginia, and Landover, Maryland, were the other two finalists in the selection process. The new FBI headquarters is expected to provide approximately 7,500 jobs and address the longstanding need for modern and secure facilities. The announcement of Greenbelt as the chosen site marks a significant milestone in the effort to provide the FBI with a state-of-the-art headquarters that will support its critical mission.