May 29, 2025

GSA Announces Accelerated Disposition of Captain John F. Williams Coast Guard Building

BOSTON – Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the accelerated disposition of the Captain John F. Williams Coast Guard Building at 408 Atlantic Ave., Boston, Massachusetts.

The disposition of the Captain Williams Building is part of GSA’s strategy to evaluate underutilized assets and shrink the federal footprint. Under the disposition process, the property could be transferred, exchanged, or sold to a federal, state, or local entity – or to the public – after input and engagement with stakeholders.

“I recently had the opportunity to visit the Captain Williams building and see first-hand the critical work that the Coast Guard is doing to protect our ports and waterways,” said GSA Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian. “Working with them to find a space that better supports their mission represents GSA’s commitment to our customers while at the same time allows us to dispose of a prime asset that no longer meets their goals. I want to thank the Coast Guard for our partnership.”

GSA is focused on rightsizing the federal real estate portfolio to reduce the burden on the American taxpayer while also delivering space that enables its agency customers to achieve their missions. The accelerated disposition initiative aims to engage the market, attract interested parties, and inform strategies that will expedite the disposition of federal assets, consistent with all applicable laws.

GSA has coordinated with communities and local officials to keep them informed of the disposition process—including opportunities for engagement—with the goal of continued use of the property, such as advancing local economic development and employment.

“Adding the Captain Williams Building to the accelerated disposition list is part of our commitment to working with our partner agencies on their needs and offloading excess property,” said Public Buildings Service Commissioner Michael Peters. “We’re pleased to work with the Coast Guard to find space more suitable to their mission.”

The 160,000 square-foot Williams building was constructed in 1918 in Boston, Massachusetts. Originally known as the Appraiser’s Stores, the building was constructed by the government as part of a campaign to utilize the waterfront property for storage, seizure and inspection of goods destined for the nearby Custom House. The building is the U.S. Coast Guard’s New England headquarters. Once the process is complete, the Coast Guard will move to a new location in Boston.

“From New Jersey to Canada, Coast Guard men and women of the First Coast Guard District enforce maritime laws and respond to marine casualties, ensure safe and secure transport of commodities, and save mariners in distress,” said Rear Admiral Michael E. Platt, First District Commander. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with GSA as we move forward in our relocation plans.”

Along with the disposition of the Captain John F. Williams Coast Guard Building, GSA will continue to consider assets for divestment from government ownership in an orderly fashion to ensure taxpayers no longer pay for empty and underutilized federal office space, or the significant maintenance costs associated with long-term building ownership — potentially saving more than $430 million in total annual operating costs.

GSA remains committed to solving long-term problems that exist in the federal portfolio of assets.

We invite interested parties to contact accelerated.disposals@gsa.gov.  

###

About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government. GSA manages a nationwide real estate portfolio of over 360 million rentable square feet, oversees more than $110 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivers technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.