Q&A: OKC Memorial CEO uncertain regarding fate of OKC Federal Building

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has classified the Oklahoma City Federal Building as a non-core property, meaning that it could be sold, repurposed, or transferred as part of a federal cost-cutting effort.

The 181,000-square-foot building was constructed following the destruction of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in the 1995 bombing, which killed 168 people. The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is to remain unaffected by the GSA's decision.

The GSA is reviewing over 440 non-core assets nationwide, including the Oklahoma City Federal Building, to cut maintenance costs and eliminate underutilized spaces.

RELATED: Oklahoma City Federal Building faces uncertain future

Kari Watkins, President and CEO of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, joined News 9 for an interview to give her perspective on the Oklahoma City Federal Building's uncertain future.

Q: What do you think about the Oklahoma City Federal Building's designation as a non-core property?

We were surprised to see it was on the disposal list. But when you look back at the history of the federal agency since the bombing, it's been hard for people to come back to one site. Everybody was spread out in those days after, so they could open immediately, and some people got comfortable where they were.

So I don't think the building's at capacity. I don't know that much about it, but I've talked to some folks, and as you know, I think the government's trying to be efficient and look for ways to save money, and so they find this as a way to cut some costs in a city that's thriving in real estate, and so we'll see what happens.

Q: What is your reaction to the designation?

It's disappointing to us because we love having stakeholders so close to the site, but on the eve of the 30th anniversary month, it was a little surprising. At the same time, this is what we've asked for the government to come and start the number. This is what we've asked for and how we voted. So we have to let this administration do what they think is best. Every administration gets its chance.

President Clinton's administration built a building back as a symbol of resilience and strength, and maybe it's a new day. Maybe it's time for people to spread out through downtown areas where there's other availability. We will have to wait and see how this plays out.

Q: What does the Oklahoma City Federal Building mean to you?

The new federal building was built and dedicated, I think, in 2005 and finished in 2004. It was full of agencies that were in the Murrah Building, but some of those agencies had gone to other places. So, security built their own space. Some other people had moved out. Secret Service has their location, so not everybody came back to one site. Federal buildings, you know, were created so that as an American citizen, you could go to one building and take care of your business.

Q: What do you expect for the future of the OKC Federal Building?

We're gonna have to wait and see how this all plays out. It could be redeveloped into an incredible site or hotel that's great for this area. We can't imagine what's next, but what we are concerned about and what we want to make sure of is that we don't start believing that federal employees are nameless, faceless people. We don't want to dehumanize them. Those are real people doing real jobs, working on our behalf, across the street.

So I think on behalf of that, that's what this place stands for, is a is a memory, and is a teaching, a place of education, to make sure we don't dehumanize anyone, and then we all understand the impact of violence. So as you look at these news announcements, as they come, we take them, we process them, and we do the best we can.

Q: What has been your experience with site security since the bombing in 1995?

I would say, you know, we learned a lot about security and availability of buildings, federal buildings, federal access after the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Building. So you see bollards, and you see standoffs from streets. It's not like you just walk in, like you could in 1995. That changed everything. Most importantly, the closing of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House. You couldn't access the White House after Oklahoma City.

So when they built the new building, it had the latest and greatest technology and security. At the same time, it's is something that the government has to continue to look at and evaluate, so we'll leave that to the great minds of the government and let them do their work.

Q: Are the Memorial and the museum next door at risk?

We are recognized as a national memorial. We're an affiliate of the National Park Service, so they are here to interpret the story outside. The Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation owns and operates the Memorial Museum and always has. It has always been a privately owned and operated facility, so we can make sure we don't get in the midst of these government battles over money. The Foundation was set up by Newt Gingrich and Bill Clinton back in 1997, the last time the federal budget was balanced.