Federal government targets five office leases in San Diego

The federal government is planning to terminate five office leases in San Diego County, covering a total of 40,242 square feet. These changes aim to save $2.2 million in costs. The affected offices include locations for the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Food and Drug Administration, International Trade Administration, and the Department of Labor. The terminations were announced by the Department of Government Efficiency, established under President Donald Trump's administration. Most of the leases are set to expire soon, although some landlords have not yet been notified of the cancellations. The only scheduled termination so far is for a Social Security office in Carlsbad, set to close on June 4. The IRS office in San Marcos is the largest local lease targeted. It has a Taxpayer Assistance Center that helps residents with tax inquiries. This office lease expires in February 2028 and costs the government $855,521 annually. A spokesperson for the General Services Administration noted a desire to consolidate office spaces and exit short-term leases. This is part of a larger effort to optimize space utilization and improve office environments for federal employees. In total, the Department of Government Efficiency has reported 793 lease terminations nationwide, aiming for savings of about $500 million. Most of the terminations reported will have little overall economic impact in San Diego, although specific properties may face occupancy issues due to these changes.