HANDOUTS

• Agenda
  
• April 15, 2004, Community Liaison Council Meeting Minutes
  
• NIH Community Liaison Council Member List (as of May 20, 2004)
  
• NIH Bethesda Campus Construction Projects (slide copies)
  
• Gateway Center, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, May 20, 2004 (slide copies)
  
• NIH Bethesda Campus 2003 Master Plan Update: Bethesda Campus Illustrative Master
  Plan (slide copies)
  
• Art for Fine Living at Strathmore (announcement postcard)
  
  

WELCOME AND UPDATES
Tom Gallagher, Director, Office of Community Liaison (OCL), Office of the Director (OD), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Co-Chair, Community Liaison Council (CLC), welcomed members and guests.

CLC DISCUSSION ITEMS
Perimeter Fence
Dr. Gallagher reported that there would be no immediate closure of the perimeter fence. George Oberlander, Huntington Parkway Citizens Association, said that the pedestrian gates, although closed, were not locked and could be opened to enter the Campus.

Noise Associated with Porter Neuroscience Research Center
Stella Serras-Fiotes, Office of Research Facilities Development and Operations (ORF), NIH, informed the members of the CLC that consultants had been engaged to conduct noise measurements, to locate the source of the noise, and to find a solution. She explained that the problem concerned the fans and air balancing. She asked nearby residents to be patient over the next few weeks while corrections and adjustments were made to muffle the fans.

Stephen N. Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association, commented that nearby residents were having difficulty sleeping due to the noise. He said that the noise bothered occupants of eight or nine homes on McKinley Street about 300 feet away from the building. He asked how this could happen and wanted to know when the situation would be corrected. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that she hoped that the situation would be resolved within 30 to 45 days; however, she said the consultants needed time to analyze the cause and solve the problem. Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association, recommended turning off the fans at night. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the building was almost finished, so the HVAC had to stay on 24 hours a day and the fans could not be turned off.

When Nancy Hoos, Sonoma Citizens Association, reported the noise to Dr. Gallagher, he said that he checked but could not hear it during the daytime because of traffic noise. However, beginning at 8 p.m., he could hear the noise. Dr. Gallagher said he checked at intervals until 1 a.m. and found that it continued. Ginny Miller, Wyngate Citizens Association, asked if this situation violated any Montgomery County noise ordinances. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the noise was below the maximum-permitted level. Mr. Sawicki requested that Dr. Gallagher write to notify residents on McKinley Street of the source of the noise and the efforts of the NIH to resolve the situation. Dr. Gallagher said that he had responded to e-mails and taken telephone calls from some of the neighbors. He agreed to write to residents if Mr. Sawicki would provide the names and addresses of the nearby residents. Mr. Sawicki agreed to provide this information.

Montgomery County Pond Project—SE quadrant of the NIH Campus
Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that Montgomery County was looking for additional funds to begin the pond construction on the south side of the Campus.

Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the Construction Projects Update would be presented by Karen Rhodes, Program Manager, Division of Capital Projects and Property Management, NIH.

PRESENTATIONS
Presentation on Share the Health
by Walter Mitton, Community Relations Specialist, Office of Community Liaison, NIH
Walter Mitton, Community Relations Specialist, OCL, NIH, presented photographs taken at the NIH Share the Health event that took place on April 24, 2004. He noted that more than 5,000 attendees from the community had enjoyed the indoor and outdoor activities and exhibits of the event, held at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring. Mr. Mitton commented that the interactive robot Holly Heart and the The Drunken Brain demonstration had both been big hits. He noted that 120 volunteers had assisted with the events, and that many were students from Takoma Park Middle School and Blair High School. Mr. Mitton said that he looked forward to holding this event in 2005.

Presentation on Construction Projects Updates
by Karen Rhodes, Program Manager, Division of Capital Projects Management, NIH
Karen Rhodes, Program Manager, Division of Capital Projects, NIH, showed slides of 11 Campus construction projects. Ms. Rhodes described each project and provided milestones.

Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge
Ms. Rhodes noted that the 34-bedroom lodge was for the use of families of patients in the Clinical Research Center (CRC). She pointed out the lodge's location adjacent to the old convent, south of Center Drive. Ms. Rhodes said the lodge would open in 2005. She mentioned that the NIH Foundation had financed this project. Anthony Clifford, ORF, NIH, emphasized that no government funds had been used to build the lodge and that the Edmond J. Safra Foundation made a gift to the NIH for this project.

Comments
Mr. Oberlander and Mr. Schofer expressed concern about the cleaning, maintenance, and drainage of the double-gabled roof of the lodge.

Perimeter Fence
Ms. Rhodes described the materials used in the two-mile-long perimeter security fence and said that in addition to black metal pickets there were boulders, cable, and stone wall systems that reinforced several sections. She said that in addition to the main entrance there were seven vehicular entrances and nine pedestrian entrance gates for employees located at various locations along the fence perimeter. Ms. Rhodes said the project was substantially completed.

Discussion
Tom Robertson, Parkwood Residents Association, asked which company had been contracted for this project. Ms. Rhodes confirmed that it was the [Engineering and Construction Group], known as Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR), a Halliburton company. Mr. Sawicki observed that the blue security telephones had not been installed along the south pedestrian path. Ms. Rhodes said that these and call buttons would be installed and that the path would be monitored. Ms. Miller wondered why it was taking so long for the construction to be completed. Ms. Rhodes and Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the automated systems for monitoring and emergencies had to be tied into the gate operational system. Dr. Gallagher added that the fence and gates had been constructed over different terrain and contoured to the buffer zone.

Mr. Schofer asked about the cost of the fence so far. Ms. Rhodes said that construction of the fence and entrances totaled $15 million.

Patient and Patient Visitor Entrance
Ms. Rhodes pointed out the location of this entrance on the north side of the Campus at West Cedar Lane and West Drive. She said this entrance would be an alternate inbound-only entrance to the Visitor's Center for CRC patients and their families and for emergency vehicles. She described this entrance and indicated locations of a security processing building, three vehicle-inspection lanes, and a guard booth. Ms. Rhodes said this entrance would be completed in 2004, before the opening of the CRC. Ms. Rhodes indicated areas where 41 trees were removed to construct the three components of this entrance. She showed a schematic indicating where trees either remained or had been replaced and explained how NIH had planted replacement trees at other campus locations.

Discussion
Mr. Oberlander asked whether any more trees than shown on the slide would be destroyed. He mentioned that some of the lost trees had been mature and 36 inches in diameter. Ms. Rhodes said there were three additional trees being reviewed. Otherwise she said the trees shown in the slide would remain.

Building 68—Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility
Ms. Rhodes said the existing surface parking on the east side of the Campus between North Drive and Wilson Drive on Rockville Pike would be replaced by the Commercial Vehicle Inspection (CVI) Facility. She remarked that one of the buildings would be for security, support, and a canine area. Ms. Rhodes said that inspection would be conducted outside before being admitted to the Campus. She said the facility construction would be completed in 2005.

Questions
Mr. Schofer and Mr. Oberlander asked for details about vehicle stacking and the length of the queuing areas. Erwin N. Andres, Gorove/Slade Associates, a traffic consultant to the NIH, said that he had specific numbers but not with him at the meeting. When pressed for estimates, Mr. Andres said that there would be intermittent entry of vehicles throughout the day. He estimated that there would be 100 or fewer 55-foot trucks per day. Mr. Andres said that there were four stacking lanes for vehicles waiting while one to two trucks were undergoing inspection under the canopy. He estimated they would accommodate sixteen 55-foot trucks and four 18-wheelers. Dr. Gallagher asked how long the inspection would take. Mr. Andres said approximately 90 seconds. Ms. Miller commented that sufficient personnel would be needed to conduct inspections and to prevent bottlenecks. Mr. Schofer said that the operations procedures should have dictated the design of the CVI facility.

Ms. Serras-Fiotes recommended that these operational details should be presented during a follow-up presentation when NIH police and security personnel could answer these particular questions. Ms. Rhodes said that the design and construction teams had been working with security personnel. Dr. Gallagher agreed to contact the NIH Police about attending a future CLC meeting.

Dr. Gallagher asked about the appearance of this area, as visible from Rockville Pike. Mr. Andres said that earth berms would provide screening. Mr. Oberlander noted that the Illustrative Master Plan showed green space or trees along the roadside. Mr. Sawicki asked for assurance that this would not be an eyesore. He hoped that the berm and landscaping would be adequate. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) had made recommendations and said that these had been incorporated into the design presented on the slide.

Mr. Oberlander and Mr. Sawicki wanted to know the distance to the canopy from Rockville Pike and its location relative to the buffer zone. Mr. Andres said that the canopy was 50 to 60 feet from Rockville Pike and that the CVI facility was outside the fence. Debbie Michaels, Glenbrook Village Homeowners Association, asked about the direction of the approach. Mr. Andres said that trucks would be traveling south from the Beltway (I-495) and making a right turn into the CVI from Rockville Pike. Mr. Robertson said that the NIH had done a good job of installing the crossing areas for bikers and pedestrians. He said drivers would have a 90° view of the crossing area and that the crossing surface differed from that of the roadway.

Building 33
Ms. Rhodes showed slides of an artist's renderings of the 150,000-gross-square-foot laboratory building and the 1,230-car multi-level parking (MLP) facility. She noted that the MLP facility would open in August 2004 and the construction of Building 33 would be completed in 2005.

Comments
Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association, and Mr. Sawicki noticed that there were several unshielded smokestacks along the top of Building 33. They were concerned about their visibility and being an eyesore similar to that on the uncompleted Porter Neuroscience Research Center. Ms. Serras-Fiotes noted that the Porter Building stacks might be shielded sooner than had been forecast, as the NIH was considering rescheduling this work before beginning phase two of the project.

Dr. Gallagher wanted to know what orientation of Building 33 was shown on the slide. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the view of the stacks would be most visible from the interior of the Campus. She said that they would be less visible from Rockville Pike on the east than as shown on the slide. Mr. Oberlander wondered why the stacks needed to be so tall. Morton Goldman, Sc.D., Luxmanor Citizens Association, commented that the stacks needed to be above the roofline and protrude a distance to prevent a downdraft. Mr. Sawicki wanted assurance that NIH was committed to correct such a situation, should it occur, and that if the stacks were a problem that they would be screened. Dr. Gallagher asked Ms. Serras-Fiotes and Mr. Clifford if they would provide assurance to Mr. Sawicki about mitigating such a situation. Ms. Hoos remained concerned about whether budget considerations might preclude screening of the stacks should they prove to be an eyesore. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the budget included construction contingency funds.

Ms. Hoos wondered if this building would have the same noise problem as that of the Porter Building and asked whether this could be mitigated. Mr. Schofer advised Ms. Rhodes to contact the HVAC [heating/air-conditioning] team to prevent a noise situation similar to that at the Porter Building. Ms. Rhodes said that she would convey that message to the HVAC design team of Building 33. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that if any such noise occurred, it would be mitigated at both Porter and at Building 33. Mr. Clifford, as NIH's Chief Engineer, said that the design for this laboratory building was typical of that of other Campus lab buildings. He said that he did not anticipate a problem at Building 33. He noted that the mechanical components of the building were located on the western side of the building, facing the interior of the Campus.

Northeast Utility Tunnel Extension
Ms. Rhodes said that the Northeast Utility Tunnel extension would connect Buildings 1 and 33 and provide chilled water, steam, and utilities. Ms. Rhodes assured the CLC that there would be no noise post-construction. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that a notice would be sent to the NIH and CLC on days when blasting would take place during construction. Mr. Schofer confirmed that the County had guidelines about blasting and he commented that he had not heard any blasting noise associated with the construction of Building 33.

Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center
Ms. Rhodes said that the laboratories situated on the outside of the CRC would be occupied in September 2004, and in December 2004 patients would be moved in. Ms. Miller asked if there would be tours scheduled. Mr. Clifford said that VIP tours and an opening ceremony would take place in September. He offered to work with Dr. Gallagher on scheduling a tour for the CLC. Mr. Oberlander asked about access to the CRC from the Children's Inn. Ms. Rhodes said that access would be either on foot or by using the interior NIH shuttle bus.

Children's Inn Addition
Ms. Rhodes said the opening of the addition to the Children's Inn at NIH had taken place in May. She reported that the 34,000-gross-square-foot wing had been funded by the Children's Foundation, Inc. She said it provided guest rooms, associated living and recreational space, and administrative office and storage space.

John Edward Porter Neuroscience Research Center
Replacing Buildings 35 and 36, Ms. Rhodes said the Porter Neuroscience Research Center would have 600,000 gross square feet of space. She noted that there were two phases of construction: Phase 1 would be completed in May 2004, and Phase 2, beginning with the demolition of Building 36 in January of 2005, would be completed at the end of 2008.

Mr. Oberlander asked how much of the stacks would be visible after the screening was in place, and he asked whether the window design was energy efficient. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said the screening was quite high. Mr. Clifford said that this innovative window design allowed light to enter the window panels at a 30° angle. He said these panels gathered and reflected light into the interior of the building. Mr. Oberlander cited the windows of the Intelsat Building, located on Connecticut Avenue in DC, as an example of a similar energy-efficient design. Mr. Schofer wondered about cleaning the windows, particularly from the inside. Mr. Clifford said that there would be scaffolding attached on the building's top to clean the exterior. He said that rainfall would hit the angular side of the window and run off.

Ms. Hildebrand said that the rendering shown previously to the CLC differed from the rendering shown on Ms. Rhodes' slide. She wondered which representation was shown to the NCPC. Ms. Serras-Fiotes acknowledged that tastes in architecture differed, however she believes this building will be recognized for its design qualities. She added that the NCPC received the same submission, which included stack screening. Mr. Sawicki asked about the location of phase-2 construction. Ms. Rhodes said that this area would not be visible from Old Georgetown Road.

Northwest Parking Garage (MLP-9)
Ms. Rhodes said that the MLP-9 facility would contain 978 spaces within a six-story building. She said February 2005 was the anticipated completion date.

Discussion about Trees (continued)
Ms. Miller expressed concern about losing trees when construction took place. She said the trees enhanced the Campus, and she wondered whether checks and balances existed to maintain the NIH campus look. Ms. Miller also emphasized the importance of maintaining trees in the buffer zone. She inquired about the size of the replacement trees at the CRC. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the trees replaced at the CRC site were nice big trees, in the 6- and 10–12-foot range.

Ms. Rhodes said that the NIH is accountable to the State of Maryland and that the plan submitted had been in compliance with, or exceeded what was required. She noted that the NIH had been committed to and conscientious about replacing trees and landscaping after construction. Eleanor Rice, Locust Hill Civic Association, expressed concern about the species of the replacement trees. Ms. Rhodes said that a mixture of trees was included, taking into consideration the characteristics of the replanted area. Mr. Schofer complimented the planting of the sycamore trees on the Campus' south side.

Gateway Center Presentation
by Mike Sansaver, IDB Architects
Mike Sansaver, assisted by Martha Sansaver, both of IDB Architects, showed a slide of the Gateway Center and an aerial view of existing conditions. He indicated where the complex would be constructed. Mr. Sansaver pointed out the location of the Visitor's Center west and across from the Metro escalator canopy. He noted the components of the Center: a stand-alone Visitor's Center, including a welcoming and orientation area and access to the NIH shuttle bus area, an automobile inspection station for visitors entering the Campus, and a 350-car underground parking facility, situated outside the secured perimeter of the Campus.

Mr. Sansaver said that the Visitor's Center would comprise the welcoming and orientation areas, five security stations, with X-ray equipment and a magnetometer similar to that used at airports, and an area for obtaining a visitor's badge. After processing, he said that visitors would proceed by interior Campus shuttle bus or walk to their destinations.

Discussion
Mr. Robertson asked if there would be an employee pedestrian gate accessible from the Metro area. Mr. Sansaver said there would be separate turnstiles for employees to enter without processing in the Visitor's Center. Mr. Robertson asked how those using the parking garage would proceed to the Visitor's Center. Mr. Sansaver said there would be elevators to the upper level and the Metro escalator area.

Mr. Oberlander asked the location of the visitor vehicle entrance. Mr. Andres said a new entrance from Rockville Pike would be installed. He said that a four-lane inspection area for visitor vehicles permitted on Campus would lead to a service road adjoining Center Drive. Other visitors, instead of proceeding to the vehicle inspection area, would be directed to the parking garage. Several members were concerned about how this new entrance would affect traffic flow on Rockville Pike. Mr. Andres said that those approaching from the south on Rockville Pike would not be able to turn left directly into the new entrance. He said that the State would not permit a traffic signal at this location to accommodate left turns. He noted that a U-turn would be required at South Drive to access the right turn entrance from Rockville Pike. Lucy Ozarin, M.D., Whitehall Condominium Association, said no U-turn was allowed there now. Mr. Andres said that a signal with timing adjustments for this maneuver would be installed. Mr. Oberlander asked how drivers would know to make a U-turn. Mr. Andres said signs would be posted for those approaching from the south, although he thought most of the traffic would approach from the Beltway [I-495] from the north.

Other members were concerned about how traffic would return to the Beltway after exiting onto Rockville Pike heading south from the visitor's vehicle roadway. Mr. Andres said by making a series of right turns drivers could return to the Beltway by going north on Old Georgetown Road. Ms. Michaels disagreed with this as the way in which drivers would get to the Beltway. She felt that drivers would proceed east to Connecticut Avenue via Jones Bridge Road. She cautioned that this would exacerbate gridlock, because it necessitated crossing lanes on Rockville Pike to turn left turn at Jones Bridge Road.

Mr. Sawicki and Ms. Michaels felt that pedestrians would be endangered while traversing an entrance lacking a traffic or pedestrian crossing signal. Mr. Sawicki noted that pedestrians use the west side of Rockville Pike to reach Metro from the pathway and from Bethesda's business district. Ms. Michaels reported that vehicles had already hit pedestrians in this area.

Ms. Serras-Fiotes emphasized that the traffic plan took into account current traffic and did not add new traffic to the roadways. She said that the NIH was working with the County and State on this plan. Mr. Oberlander requested a diagram of the vehicle and pedestrian approaches in order to consider the redistribution of traffic in the Visitor Center area.

Dr. Gallagher said that the meeting time was ending. He suggested that this topic be continued during the June 17, 2004, CLC meeting.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting ended at 6 p.m.

ACTION ITEMS

• Mr. Sawicki said that he would send Dr. Gallagher names and addresses of residents on McKinley Street who were affected by the noise coming from the Porter Building.
  
• Dr. Gallagher agreed to write to residents to update them on efforts to resolve the noise coming from the fans of the Porter Building.
  
• Dr. Gallagher agreed to invite NIH and security personnel to discuss the operation of the CVI facility.
  
• Ms. Rhodes said that she would contact the design team of Building 33 to have them consider the HVAC [heating/air-conditioning] system to avoid any potential noise disturbance to the community.
  
• Mr. Clifford agreed to work with Dr. Gallagher on the possibility of scheduling a tour of the CRC.
  
• Dr. Gallagher agreed to continue discussion about the visitor vehicle inspection entry from Rockville Pike at the June CLC meeting.

CLC Members Present

• Lorraine Bell, Palladian Partners, Inc.
  
• Tom Gallagher, Ph.D., OCL, OD, NIH
  
• Morton Goldman, Sc.D., Luxmanor Citizens Association
  
• Jeanne Goldstein, Montgomery County Civic Federation
  
• Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association
  
• Nancy Hoos, Sonoma Citizens Association
  
• Debra Liverpool, YMCA, Bethesda-Chevy Chase/Ayrlawn
  
• Marilyn Mazuzan, Town of Oakmont
  
• Debbie Michaels, Glenbrook Village Homeowners Association
  
• Ginny Miller, Wyngate Citizens Association
  
• Walter Mitton, OCL, OD, NIH
  
• George Oberlander, Huntington Parkway Citizens Association
  
• Lucy Ozarin, M.D., Whitehall Condominium Association
  
• Eleanor Rice, Locust Hill Civic Association
  
• Tom Robertson, Parkwood Residents Association
  
• Sharon Robinson, OCL, OD, NIH
  
• Stephen N. Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
  
• Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association
  
• Stella Serras-Fiotes, AIA, Office of Research Facilities Development and Operations, NIH

Guests

• Erwin N. Andres, Gorove/Slade Associates
  
• Jason Azar, View Engineering
  
• Anthony Clifford, ORF, NIH
  
• Chuck Crawford, IDB Architects
  
• Howard Hochman, DFP, NIH
  
• Joan Kleinman, U.S. Congressman Van Hollen's Office
  
• Martha Sansaver, IDB Architects
  
• Mike Sansaver, IDB Architects
  
• Mayre Sequeira, ORF, OD, NIH
  
• Chris Williams, Gazette
  
• Ron Wilson, OD, ORS, NIH