The government put the Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building up for sale in May as part of a broader cost-cutting effort. Now, disabled janitors who work there are wondering what that means for them.

Cleveland

The federal government is proceeding with plans to sell the Anthony J. Celebrezee Federal Building in downtown Cleveland as part of a cost-saving initiative. This decision is expected to save taxpayers over $180 million in maintenance and renovations, and is part of a broader effort to sell more than 40 federal properties.

However, the sale has left janitorial staff, many of whom are disabled and have worked in the building for years, facing uncertainty about their jobs. While some officials support the sale as a means to consolidate federal offices and reduce expenses, others question the data supporting the decision and express concern over the impact on workers and the local community. The General Services Administration has stated the sale will proceed in coordination with tenants and market input, but has not provided detailed responses to questions about the transition.

Federal govt. push to sell Cleveland office leaves janitors in limbo

We are more than two weeks now into the federal government shutdown, but people are still going to work at federal properties across northeast Ohio, including the Celebrezee building in downtown Cleveland. Now, we told you in the spring about the government's plan to sell the tower. It's a cost-cutting move, one that's leaving long-time caretakers in limbo. Tonight, News 5's Michelle Jarboe is following through. Well, I had rheumatic fever as a child, and it shortened my leg up. Larry Jackson is an Army veteran, a grandfather, an associate pastor at his church in Cleveland. All things are possible if we only believe and come together as one. At 70, he's still working. To support my family, as a man. And as a janitor at the Anthony J. Celebrezee Federal Building in Cleveland. I have worked every floor, or every two floors in the building. Through a program that connects disabled people to jobs across the state. We are very particular how we perform our duties. To do the best we can. To make people happy. But lately, there's been a lot less happiness here on East 9th Street. It ain't no fellowship, togetherness. Everybody is just holding on, like it won't be no tomorrow. The federal government put this building up for sale in May, saying unloading it could save taxpayers more than $180 million on upkeep and renovations. It's one of more than 40 federal properties earmarked for a swift sale. And the second largest right now, on the government's chopping block. We just don't need that building. So it's a question of, if we don't need the building, why in the heck would we keep it? Republican Senator Bernie Moreno says the office tower needs to go. We want to sell it on the open market, recoup some money for the taxpayer, consolidate offices for federal employees. It's not about lowering the amount of jobs, it's about making certain that we're effectively using space. But Democratic Congresswoman Chantel Brown doesn't buy the math. My questions are, what is the data? What did you use to determine this information? Can we get a side-by-side comparison? She's also worried about the impact on downtown and the human cost. That they have treated these employees essentially like trash, like they are replaceable. We are going to challenge them on that. As for Larry? I'm shocked and I'm bewildered. He knows the building, which he's cleaned for 17 years, needs work. The condition of the building, it does need a lot of repair. But it's the people inside. Some people tell me, you know everybody by name. Federal employees and contractors he's fretting about. A cloud, a dark cloud in their spirit, in their character, in their attitude. And it's the people he prays for. What would it mean for you if that building closed down and was sold? Well you know what? You really want to know. I'm just going to put it in the hands of a higher bid. In Cleveland. I love y'all. Michelle Jarboe, News 5. Second time around. We did reach out to the GSA, the federal agency that's handling this sale. They didn't answer detailed questions. And citing the government shutdown, they would not let us film inside the building. In an emailed statement, a GSA spokeswoman said the sale will move forward, quote, in coordination with tenants and agency partners and with input from the market.

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