§6502 — Title 40 Public Buildings, Property, and Works | U.S. Code

Summary

The federal government names a building in Washington, D.C., the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building. Land known as squares 721 and 722 stays federal. Ownership of the building and other improvements goes back to the Government no more than 30 years after the lease’s effective date under section 6504, and the Government pays nothing when that happens. The building (not counting parking) cannot be larger than 520,000 gross square feet above Columbia Plaza. Its height must fit nearby government and historic buildings and follow the Building Height Act of June 1, 1910. The design must match nearby historic and government buildings, reflect the Capitol’s importance, and show government dignity and stability. The Chief Justice must approve the final design. If tied to the Capitol Power Plant, the Architect of the Capitol will supply chilled water and steam and be reimbursed. The building must meet federal construction standards. The Architect must keep accounts to predict dates and costs of major repairs and other capital work. The building is not subject to District of Columbia laws on building codes, permits, inspections, or to DC laws on real estate or personal property taxes, special assessments, or other taxes, including those enacted by Congress.

Title 40, §6502

Public Buildings, Property, and Works — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)There is a Federal Judiciary Building in Washington, D.C., known and designated as the “Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building”.

(b)(1)Title to squares 721 and 722 remains in the Federal Government.

(2)Title to the Building and other improvements constructed or otherwise made immediately reverts to the Government at the expiration of not more than 30 years from the effective date of the lease agreement referred to in section 6504 of this title without payment of any compensation by the Government.

(c)(1)The Building (excluding parking facilities) may not exceed 520,000 gross square feet in size above the level of Columbia Plaza in the District of Columbia.

(2)The height of the Building and other improvements shall be compatible with the height of surrounding Government and historic buildings and conform to the provisions of the Act of June 1, 1910 (ch. 263, 36 Stat. 452) (known as the Building Height Act of 1910).

(3)The Building and other improvements shall—

(A)be designed in harmony with historical and Government buildings in the vicinity;

(B)reflect the symbolic importance and historic character of the United States Capitol and other buildings on the United States Capitol Grounds; and

(C)represent the dignity and stability of the Government.

(d)All final decisions regarding architectural design of the Building are subject to the approval of the Chief Justice.

(e)If the Building is connected with the Capitol Power Plant, the Architect of the Capitol shall furnish chilled water and steam from the Plant to the Building on a reimbursable basis.

(f)The Building and other improvements constructed under this chapter shall meet all standards applicable to construction of a federal building.

(g)The Architect shall maintain an accounting system for operation and maintenance of the Building and other improvements which will allow accurate projections of the dates and cost of major repairs, improvements, reconstructions, and replacements of the Building and improvements and other capital expenditures on the Building and improvements.

(h)(1)The Building is not subject to any law of the District of Columbia relating to building codes, permits, or inspection, including any such law enacted by Congress.

(2)The Building and other improvements constructed under this chapter are not subject to any law of the District of Columbia relating to real estate and personal property taxes, special assessments, or other taxes, including any such law enacted by Congress.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 6502(a)40:1201 note.Pub. L. 103–4, § 1, Feb. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 30. 6502(b)40:1202(b)(2)(B), (C).Pub. L. 100–480, §§ 3(a)(6), (8), (b)(2)(B), (C), (c)–(e), 4(c), Oct. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 2329, 2330, 2331. 6502(c)40:1202(a)(8). 6502(d)40:1202(a)(6). 6502(e)40:1202(c). 6502(f)40:1202(d) (1st, 2d sentences). 6502(g)40:1203(c). 6502(h)(1)40:1202(d) (last sentence). 6502(h)(2)40:1202(e). In subsection (e), the text of 40:1202(c)(1) is omitted as obsolete. In subsection (f), the text of 40:1202(d) (2d sentence) is omitted as obsolete.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Building Height Act of 1910, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is act June 1, 1910, ch. 263, 36 Stat. 452, which is not classified to the Code.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Reference to the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building Pub. L. 103–4, § 2, Feb. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 30, provided that: “Any reference in any law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Federal Judiciary Building referred to in section 1 [now 40 U.S.C. 6502(a)] shall be deemed to be a reference to the ‘Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building’.”

§6502 Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building