Kokish represented the GSA in the search for the new regional headquarters, along with Suzanne Drake, Chris Roth and Dan Reidy, all with Jones Lang LaSalle. Debbie Orkowski, GSA Leasing Contracting Officer, managed the procurement and awarded the lease.

“The FBI is consolidating and its mission is to establish regional headquarters throughout the country,” Kokish explains. “This new facility also assumes some growth for the FBI in Phoenix.” Industry experts estimate the law enforcement group currently occupies in excess of 150,000 square feet in the Valley.

Jones Lang LaSalle has been working with the GSA for more than three years to find a new facility for the FBI’s Phoenix operations. Kokish tells GlobeSt.com the GSA initially evaluated existing buildings in Phoenix, but none of them met the FBI’s stringent requirements.

At that point, Jones Lang LaSalle began searching for land for a build-to-suit. Location, access and price all influenced the site selection. After narrowing the shortlist to four sites, the GSA put 12.2 acres under option in November 2008, Kokish recalls.

Once the location was locked down, Jones Lang LaSalle and the GSA worked to identify a developer. After a lengthy, two-phase process that identified five potential developers and required them to outline their plans for the building and building systems, Ryan Companies emerged as the winner.

“Ryan excelled technically,” Kokish says, adding that all five of the developers on the shortlist had experience building government facilities. “Sustainability was a consideration when selecting the developer.” The building was designed by New York City-based AECOM’s design and planning group.