FRIDAY UPDATE:
We have an update to a story we first brought you on Wednesday.
The owner of a Green Bay Social Security Administration building that was listed on a federal cost-cutting list, says he's now getting more clarity from the government.
Douglas Buck, the Madison-based lawyer who owns the building, tells NBC 26 he heard from the federal General Services Administration (GSA), which he says told him the federal government is not trying to terminate the lease for the office.
"They reassured me that the federal government is not trying to get out of that lease for the building on Dousman," Buck said. "They do want to shrink their space in Green Bay by 1,000 feet, and they may be talking to me about that, but the building is 12,000 square feet."
Buck says the GSA told him it may "get rid of some square footage" in Green Bay, but says he was told the government will not be shutting down this Green Bay office.
"I'm not sure how we would reduce our our space by 1000 square feet, but, you know, the good news is it sounds like the building will — the function will remain," he said.
The Department of Government Efficiency — or DOGE — website suggests the federal government would save about $26,000 annually if it shrinks the lease by 976 square feet.
Buck says the government just renewed the lease for the full 12,000 square feet about nine months ago.
ORIGINAL REPORTING:
The leasing of a Social Security Administration (SSA) building on the corner of Dousman Street and Military Avenue in Green Bay is listed as a cost-cutting measure for the federal government. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) lists it under "savings," recommending the US government consolidate its lease of the building.
- The DOGE website suggests the government could save $26,229 annually if it terminates the lease for 976 square feet of the building
- The building's owner says it was constructed originally for the purpose of serving the SSA's needs, and that SSA is its only tenant
- He also says he is confused by the listing, as he has not heard directly from the federal government regarding a new lease
(The following is a transcription of the full broadcast story)
Green Bay has popped up on a list of ways that the Department of Government Efficiency — or DOGE — says the federal government can save money. DOGE listed a Green Bay building on its website, saying the Social Security administration should stop leasing part of the building.
Watch Karl Winter's full story here:
"We have owned the building for over 20 years," Douglas Buck said. "It was originally built for the Social Security Administration. They have windows there for people that want to come in and discuss their application for benefits."
Madison-based lawyer Doug Buck owns the building, and says he was blindsided when it turned up on the DOGE website, with a listing saying the U.S. government could save more than $131,000, over five years, if it stops leasing nearly 1,000 square feet of the building.
"I wish I knew what what this DOGE posting means," he said. "It looks like what they're saying is they would like to reduce their occupancy in the building."
Buck says the federal government just re-signed the lease for the building in 20-24 — extending it for ten years, five of which are considered firm.
"Certainly, it seems like we can be confident the federal government is going to be there for the next five years," he said. "After that, it's uncertain."
The next-closest Social Security Administration building is in Appleton.
Buck also tells NBC 26 he has not heard directly from DOGE or anyone in the federal government yet about potentially consolidating or terminating the lease.
