The primary problems with the Hoover Building include:
Crumbling Concrete: The concrete exterior of the building is deteriorating, and safety netting has been installed to protect pedestrians from falling debris. Water seeping into the concrete and rusting the rebar is a contributing factor to this structural decay.
Aging Infrastructure: The building, opened in 1975, has an aging water system, outdated fire-alarm systems, and other infrastructure problems that have long needed maintenance.
Security Deficiencies: The current location and design of the building, which is surrounded by busy city streets, do not meet modern security standards and make it difficult to prevent threats like a potential car bomb.
Operational Inefficiencies: The original design has been deemed inefficient and difficult to reconfigure for modern needs. The agency has outgrown the space and had to lease over 40 annexes across the D.C. area, creating logistical and security challenges.
Outdated Technology Support: The building’s current structure cannot support the new technology required for the FBI’s modern, cybersecurity-focused mission.
Architectural Criticism: The Brutalist architectural style has been widely criticized since its opening, with many calling it an “eyesore” or “monstrosity,” though this is subjective.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has cited these problems in reports since 2011, noting that the building fails to support the FBI’s long-term operational and security needs.