83 FR 46949 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building Structural Enhancements Project

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 180 (September 17, 2018)

Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations, and the GSA PBS NEPA Desk Guide, GSA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Assessment (EA) will be prepared for the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building Structural Enhancements Project (Project).

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 46949]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20165]



[[Page 46949]]

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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[Notice-PBS-2018-09; Docket No. 2018-0002; Sequence No. 25]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the 
Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building Structural Enhancements Project

AGENCY: Public Building Service (PBS), General Services Administration 
(GSA).

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality 
Regulations, and the GSA PBS NEPA Desk Guide, GSA is issuing this 
notice to advise the public that an Environmental Assessment (EA) will 
be prepared for the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building Structural 
Enhancements Project (Project).

DATES: Agencies and the public are encouraged to provide written 
comments regarding the scope of the EA. Comments must be received by 
October 19, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Please submit written comments by either of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: ATTN: Osmahn Kadri, 50 
United Nations Plaza, Room 3345, Mailbox 9, San Francisco, CA 94102.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Osmahn A. Kadri, Regional 
Environmental Quality Advisor/NEPA Project Manager, General Services 
Administration, Pacific Rim Region, at 415-522-3617 or email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GSA intends to prepare an EA to analyze the 
potential impacts resulting from proposed structural enhancements 
associated with the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building Structural 
Enhancements Project.

Background

    The Project is located at 880 Front Street in San Diego, California 
at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building and United States 
Courthouse. The Project is proposed in order to improve structural 
safety for the public traveling underneath the building and for the 
tenants occupying the building above the Front Street underpass. The 
existing building has five stories of federal office building space 
spanning above the roadway and two levels of parking structure beneath 
the roadway.

Alternatives Under Consideration

    The EA will consider one Action Alternative and one No Action 
Alternative. The Action Alternative would consist of structural 
enhancement improvements to the portion of the existing Edward J. 
Schwartz Federal Building over Front Street between E and F streets. 
Existing columns and beams supporting the building at the Front Street 
underpass would be reinforced with new steel beams and column support 
structures and pre-cast concrete paneling. Construction would require 
full and partial closure of Front Street between Broadway and F Street. 
Street closure options during construction of the Action Alternative 
are being considered, and a comprehensive Traffic Control Plan will be 
prepared to address the street closure.
    The No Action Alternative assumes that structural enhancements to 
the existing building would not occur.

Scoping Process

    Scoping will be accomplished through direct mail correspondence to 
appropriate federal, state, and local agencies; surrounding property 
owners; and private organizations and citizens who have previously 
expressed or are known to have an interest in the Project.
    The primary purpose of the scoping process is for the public to 
assist GSA in determining the scope and content of the environmental 
analysis.

    Dated: September 10, 2018.
Matthew Jear,
Director, Portfolio Management Division, Pacific Rim Region, Public 
Buildings Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-20165 Filed 9-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6820-YF-P