Rep. Panetta Requests Immediate Reversal of Decision to List Pacific Grove NOAA Building on GSA Auction

SALINAS, CA – On Thursday, January 20 Rep. Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) further called on the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to not list the federal property located at 1352 Lighthouse Avenue, otherwise known as the Pacific Grove NOAA building, for auction. Rep. Panetta recently wrote to Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Shalanda Young, on January 11th, 2022, about his concerns with the process in listing this federal property and the potential negative impact of a private buyer purchasing the Pacific Grove NOAA building. The letter again reiterates the Congressman’s support for a transfer of the property to a nonprofit organization or consortium of marine and education organizations committed to upholding the requirements of the Local Coastal Program. “My goal is to make sure that the federal government listens to the concerns of the local residents here in Pacific Grove when it comes to the sale of the NOAA building to a private buyer,” said Rep. Panetta. “I will continue my efforts to get the Administration to reverse their decision of listing this property for auction and try to get them to reconsider a more suitable nonprofit steward. We’re trying to do everything that we can at all levels so that this property can be managed by those who care about our region’s natural beauty and community here on the Central Coast.” Rep. Panetta will continue to engage with the Administration and advocate on behalf of his constituents in Pacific Grove prior to and after, if necessary, the January 31, 2022 auction listing date of the federal property. He will also work with the Local Coastal Program on developing alternative uses of the property with nonprofits and local consortiums.