ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Next to criminals and U.S. Marshals, nobody spends more time at the Poff Federal Building in downtown Roanoke than construction workers.
For several years they've been working on an ongoing renovation project that one Congressman believes could reach $80 million.
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"They would have been much better served building one or two buildings and selling (the Poff Building)," said Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Roanoke). "Some private contractor would have found a much better use for it."
In a 2009 summary of the project, the General Services Administration (GSA), which is responsible for federal buildings, said renovations would cost a maximum of $42 million.
The first phase of the project cost more than $51 million. The second phase of the project is underway which includes replacing the brick facade and renovating the parking garage on the 40 year old, 14 story building. GSA documents show phase two will cost another $15 million, wrapping up in the 2018 fiscal year.
Goodlatte toured the building with GSA officials on Monday. He said given problems that still exist with the building, the final cost will be closer to $80 million.
Construction started thanks to stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was signed into law in 2009.
"They suddenly had a whole lot of money and they had an idea. But the idea was not well vetted," Goodlatte said. "Instead of saving the taxpayers money, they actually cost the taxpayers far more money than they would have if they had carefully planned out what to do."
In an email, GSA Spokesperson Gina Gilliam said the agency delivered the Poff project on time and within budget.
Goodlatte strongly disagrees, saying bureaucrats have taken taxpayers to the cleaners.