The Ketchikan Federal Building sale could happen soon as the US government prepares to offload more than 440 properties nationwide. On Tuesday, the General Services Administration (GSA) identified these properties as non-core assets that no longer serve essential federal functions.
Officials said selling underused buildings would eliminate soft maintenance and redirect taxpayer funds toward improved work environments. The 1930s-era Ketchikan building is historically significant as the only pink-painted federal structure in the nation.
It is currently one of the government properties that may shortly be transferred. In addition, the GSA’s disposal list included three Anchorage locations. These include the annex of the contemporary federal courthouse and a 1,600-square-foot garage located inside the old Anchorage Federal Building.
Today, the Social Security Administration is one of several government offices in that 64,821-square-foot extension. The list also features the parking lot of Anchorage’s modern Federal Building, raising questions about where federal agencies might relocate.
However, not all government properties in Alaska are affected. Neither the Fairbanks Federal Building nor the Juneau Federal Building, officially named Hurff Ackerman Saunders Federal Building, and Robert Boochever U.S. Courthouse appear on the list.
The GSA has not confirmed when the sale will occur, how agencies will occur, or how agencies will handle office relocations. Officials maintain that selling these buildings aligns with the government’s strategy to optimize property use and reduce expenses.
For Ketchikan, the potential sale could reshape a city landmark that has stood for nearly a century. Many residents view the building as a piece of the town’s identity, but its fate remains uncertain. If finalized, the Ketchikan Federal Building sale would significantly change the community and federal property management in Alaska.
This news article was originally published by Alaska Beacon.
