ASLA's Concern About Security Design Raised With GSA Nominee
Government Relations staff has worked with Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to ensure nominee believes in balancing security with public access.

Early this spring, ASLA Federal G overnment Affairs Manager Scott Kovarovics met with staff of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to discuss security design and explore the role the committee might play in calling attention to the importance of balancing effective security with openness and freedom of movement. Staff expressed interest in ASLA’s point of view and suggested that the committee might raise this issue with a future nominee for administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA). GSA is the federal government’s landlord and owns and/or leases thousands of buildings nationwide, housing almost every department and agency. The administrator is nominated by the president and must be confirmed by the Senate.

Soon after this meeting, President Bush nominated Lurita Alexis Doan to this position. Following this nomination, ASLA provided the committee with questions relating to Doan’s philosophy about balancing security with other values, GSA’s strategy for improving security design over the long term, and how the agency works with the private sector on this issue.

In addition to confirmation hearings that many associate with the nomination process, nominees are routinely required to submit written responses to questions provided in advance by the committee with jurisdiction over their nomination. In this case, the Homeland Security Committee included two questions drafted by ASLA in its pre-hearing questionnaire for Doan.

The first question was: How do you believe the federal government should balance effective perimeter security with the important goal of maintaining the ability of the American people to interact with their government with as few physical and psychological barriers as possible?

Doan responded in part by stating: “There is no question that we must improve security. But at the same time, I am quite convinced that all too often, ‘solutions’ from security companies do not fully balance other needs such as ease of movement, privacy, and openness. The good news is that we are in a period of great innovation on security issues . . . GSA can, and should, serve as a catalyst for change and, in particular, needs to do a better job working with the private sector to speed the introduction of these innovative solutions to the government.”

The second question was: What policies or strategies would you pursue as administrator to ensure this balance is achieved in federal buildings owned and leased nationwide, especially over the long term?

Doan offered the following in response: “I understand that GSA is actively engaged in trying to balance security concerns while maintaining openness in landscaping. Federal buildings are often in the heart of our major cities and symbolize the federal presence in the communities in which they are located. It is vital that they clearly communicate that our government is open and accessible to the greatest extent possible while being secure. With innovation and care, effective security can be well integrated into buildings and landscaping without encumbering their public nature. I firmly believe this is imperative and, if confirmed, under my watch, I would maintain this crucial focus.”

On May 25, the committee approved Doan’s nomination by voice vote and sent it to the full Senate for consideration. A vote could occur in early June after the Senate returns from its Memorial Day District Work Period.

In general, Doan’s responses to our questions are encouraging—although we note the reference to “landscaping.” However, only time will tell if her actions as administrator match these words. If confirmed, ASLA will look for an early opportunity to meet with her and begin a dialogue about how we can work together to achieve the goals we share.