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Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

Date: June 5, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Transportation Housing and Property

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - June 05, 2007)

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By Ms. MURKOWSKI:

S. 1552. A bill to authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property to the Alaska Railroad Corporation; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill that will authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property to the Alaska Railroad Corporation. This parcel of land is used by GSA for a fleet management center at 2nd and Christensen avenue in downtown Anchorage. The site is approximately 78,000 sq. feet and is surrounded on two sides by Alaska Railroad property. This property was owned by the Alaska Railroad during the period of Federal ownership and was leased to the General Services administration. At the time the railroad was transferred from Federal to State ownership, the parcel of land where the fleet center is located was successfully obtained by GSA for its motor pool function due to its close proximity to downtown Anchorage and other Federal agencies.

This parcel of land is a key transportation component for the redevelopment of Ship Creek. Allowing the Alaska Railroad to get the property back, either through a land exchange or fair market purchase, will allow the Railroad to make additional improvements in the area. GSA has indicated a desire
to move from its present location to a location closer to the military bases in Anchorage as most of their business has become the management of a motor pool for the bases.

As consideration for the property, the administrator shall require the AKRR Corporation to either convey a replacement facility to GSA or pay the fair market value of the property based on the highest and best use as determined by an independent appraisal commissioned by the administrator and paid for by the Alaska Railroad Corporation. All proceeds derived from any payment for the property shall be deposited in the Federal buildings fund.

The GSA supports this legislation to expedite their move from the present location to one that will allow them to better serve the military bases.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

S. 1552

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