National Archives to transition out of three federal records centers

The National Archives and Records Administration has circulated plans to move out of three of its records-holding facilities over the next few years — a decision the agency said will cut costs and reduce its real estate portfolio, although questions remain about how agency employees will be affected.

An internal agency email circulated on Tuesday to National Archives staff, obtained by Federal News Network, outlined the agency’s decision to shutter federal records centers in the Chicago and San Francisco/San Bruno regions and begin moving records out of its center in Seattle.

“This decision is an opportunity for NARA to maintain our core mission and functions while improving efficiency and effectiveness,” the email, signed by NARA Chief Operating Officer Jay Trainer, reads. “We will move forward with care for our colleagues, our records and our programs in a way that strengthens our agency for the work to come.”

Records relocations are expected to begin within the next few months, with the transition expected to be completed in the next couple of years, according to the email. Accessioned records in the Chicago and San Francisco locations, and temporary records at all three centers, will soon be moved to “other locations.” Archival and permanent holdings in Seattle will remain “until a suitable replacement facility is identified,” NARA’s email said.

It’s not entirely clear, however, how the upcoming closures will impact employees currently working at the three facilities.

“I recognize that this news may be unsettling to employees across the agency,” Trainer said in the staff email. “This decision was not made lightly, and we know this will be challenging for our employees in the affected facilities. NARA will continue to support the staff at affected locations to the extent possible.”

A National Archives spokesperson declined to provide specific details in response to Federal News Network’s questions on the purpose of the relocations or the impacts to employees, citing ongoing discussions with the American Federation of Government Employees Council 260.

“NARA is committed to a transparent process as we navigate the closure of these facilities. We are currently in the process of formal bargaining with AFGE Council 260 to discuss the transition and address the impacts on our staff,” the spokesperson said. “Our priority is to work collaboratively with AFGE 260 to mitigate any adverse effects on our employees and support them through this transition.”

The spokesperson said the agency formally notified AFGE Council 260 of the facility closures on June 12, followed by a briefing with union leadership on June 16. The agency also held a virtual meeting for affected employees on Tuesday and sent an agencywide announcement following the end of the meeting.

AFGE Council 260, which represents NARA employees, has issued a formal notice of its intent to bargain with the agency over “appropriate arrangements” for employees impacted by the closures. The union has not yet been informed of the agency’s specific plans for employees.

“We believe the agency has a responsibility to staff, many of whom have been employed by the National Archives for much of their careers,” David Castillo, president of AFGE Council 260, said in an interview with Federal News Network. “We believe that includes a responsibility to relocate employees to other facilities or offer them the ability to work remotely, where possible.”

“The agency has an obligation to find ways to keep folks employed, if that’s what employees want,” Castillo continued. “But we understand that some people may not want to relocate, and in those cases, the agency should provide resources to employees who are not interested in transferring.”

An agency spokesperson said NARA is committed to maintaining an open dialogue and collaborating with the union.

“We look forward to engaging in the bargaining process to address any concerns during this transition,” the spokesperson said.

NARA’s plans to relocate its Seattle records facility have been underway for at least the last few years. On the General Services Administration’s website, it notes that the Seattle building, constructed in 1946, “does not suit the future needs of the agency” due to its age and condition.

“GSA and the National Archives are collaborating on a new vision for the archives,” GSA wrote. “The future home of the National Archives in the Pacific Northwest is being designed to meet the needs of the agency’s digital future while providing a space for the community to engage with the records in the permanent collection.”

A contract award for the design of a new Seattle-area facility is expected sometime this summer. GSA referred Federal News Network’s questions on the closures and relocations to NARA.

The upcoming facility changes for the National Archives are not the first in recent memory. In August 2024, NARA announced it was shuttering three other facilities and relocating two offices. At the time, the agency said the transitions would allow for putting over $5 million in annual facility costs toward “digital transformation” efforts instead.

Since the Trump administration began, NARA has faced a net staffing decrease of more than 500 employees, according to Office of Personnel Management data. Currently, the agency has just under 2,400 employees total.

If you would like to contact this reporter about recent changes in the federal government, please email drew.friedman@federalnewsnetwork.com or reach out on Signal at drewfriedman.11

Copyright © 2026 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.