In August 1973, the U.S. Geological Survey moved its first group of employees into the John Wesley Powell Federal Building of its newly constructed National Center at Reston, Virginia. The move signaled the fruition of more than 20 years of dedicated planning and work following World War II, to consolidate the agency's widespread activities into one location, which could truly serve as a national center.
Architecture of distinction and quality, in the words of its principal architect, Walter A. Netsch , ''was considered to be quite radical at the time." The John Wesley Powell Federal Building provides requisite and adequate facilities in an architectural style and form which reflect the dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability of the United States Government. It symbolizes the dedication to the public service that must continue to motivate and guide the Geological Survey.
This history of building a National Center for the U.S. Geological Survey is a "nuts and bolts" account of the planning, design and construction, forgotten happenings, and frustrations in the planning and authorization process, and the political and other considerations which played a significant role in the culmination of a dream about a National Center for the Geological Survey. This documented data of unique procedures in the acquisition and financing of Federal buildings, the choice and development of the building site, and its location as a contribution to the enhancement of the "new town" concept of the 1960's in the planning and development of the National Capital Area, may well provide guidance in the future to those who have to decide whether a building of true worth should be preserved.
