Section 824 - Powers and Duties(a) Guidelines.--The department shall establish guidelines to encourage State agencies to locate all new office facilities in downtown areas. The guidelines shall include consideration of the following factors: (1) The requirements of the agency.(2) Servicing clientele needs.(3) Local economic considerations.(4) The availability of suitable space in a downtown area.(5) Competitiveness in the marketplace.(6) Cost to the Commonwealth.(7) Safety to persons using the office facility.(8) The availability of public transportation.(9) Compatibility with the economic revitalization plan for the downtown area.(10) Local zoning ordinances. (11) The likelihood of natural disasters and preventative and emergency response measures thereto.(12) Comments from existing public and private sector organizations committed to community, downtown revitalization and historic preservation to be identified by the Department of Community and Economic Development.(b) Leases.--Prior to a State agency entering into a lease of real estate for office purposes, the State agency shall, in accordance with the department guidelines, consider locating the office facilities in a downtown area.(c) Construction.--Whenever a State agency is planning to construct a building to be used for office purposes, the State agency shall, in accordance with the department's guidelines:(1) Consider the rehabilitation, reuse, or both, of existing structures within a downtown area. Consideration may include reasonable efforts to: (i) Rehabilitate or rebuild the structure's facade, if appropriate, in a way which maintains the architectural integrity of the building and streetscape according to the United States Secretary of the Interior's standards for rehabilitation in Federal regulations.(ii) Ensure that the structure meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( Public Law 101-336, 104 Stat. 327) in a manner which respects the architectural integrity of the building.(2) Consider new construction on available land within a downtown area. Consideration may include reasonable efforts to: (i) Have the scale and facade of the new structure maintain the architectural integrity of the existing streetscape.(ii) Ensure that the structure meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in a manner which respects the architectural integrity of the neighboring building.Amended by P.L. 652 2012 No. 72, § 1, eff. 8/26/2012.2000, June 22, P.L. 318, No. 32, § 4, effective in 60 days.