| Community Liaison
Council Meeting Minutes
October 21, 2004, 4:10–5:33 p.m.
Natcher Conference Center, Room D
National Institutes of Health
DRAFT
HANDOUTS
- Agenda
- Community Liaison Council (CLC) Meeting Minutes of September
30, 2004
WELCOME
Ginny Miller, CLC Co-Chair, and Wyngate Citizens Association’s
representative, called the meeting to order. She had been
asked to chair this meeting by CLC Co-Chair, Tom Gallagher,
Director of the Office of Community Liaison (OCL), who had
another commitment.
Ms. Miller invited Ronald Wilson, Master Planner, Division
of Facilities Planning, Office of Research Facilities Development
and Operations (ORFDO), NIH, to the podium.
PRESENTATIONS
Presentation on the NIH Campus Master Plan Update
(MPU)
by Ronald Wilson, Master Planner, Division of Facilities
Planning, Office of Research Facilities Development and Operations,
NIH
Mr. Wilson presented slides that showed a March 2004 aerial
view of the NIH Bethesda campus and information about the
2003 MPU. He noted that 2003 was the baseline for a 20-year
planning period ending in 2023. Mr. Wilson said that the MPU
would coordinate campus physical development and help identify
future requirements for personnel and facilities. He emphasized
that projects in the MPU and associated Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) were guidelines indicating the timing for
potential development. Actual campus development depended
on congressional and presidential policy decisions, NIH and
Department of Health and Human Services priorities, and federal
budgeting.
Campus Growth
Although the 1995 Master Plan had anticipated a personnel
level of 18,000 by 2015, Mr. Wilson noted that NIH had grown
faster than anticipated, with 17,500 currently on campus.
He reported that Institute and Center (IC) directors and leaders
had recommended a campus personnel limit of 22,000 by 2023.
Further, he said that they recommended bringing all personnel
working on intramural activities to the campus and locating
elsewhere those presently on campus but working on administrative
or extramural activities. Mr. Wilson explained that 8,600
NIH employees worked in leased off-campus space. He said that
building gross square footage would grow from 7.5 million
to 10.7 million by 2023.
Mr. Wilson noted several factors, goals, and objectives
that drove campus development: supporting research and research
initiatives, revitalizing aging facilities and infrastructure,
keeping pace with new technologies, creating a supportive
and secure working environment, and optimizing use of federal
land. He noted that factors affecting campus development included
traffic and transportation, utilities, stormwater management,
historical and archeological resources, neighborhood compatibility,
and community involvement.
Master Planning Concepts
Mr. Wilson said that the MPU included plans for open space,
transportation, traffic circulation, infrastructure, and security
improvements. He showed a concept diagram that depicted key
features of development including open areas, landscaping,
and the interior quadrant and central mall where activities
would be concentrated within the loop road. Mr. Wilson noted
the MPU’s major proposals and the locations of projects,
including the commercial vehicle inspection facility, the
Gateway Center (Visitor’s Center, parking garage, and
visitor’s vehicle inspection area), 13 new laboratories,
demolition of the 14/28 building complex, removal of surface
parking areas, and construction of new multilevel parking
facilities. He reported that the vast majority of the buffer
zone would remain open landscaped space.
Environmental Impact Statement
Mr. Wilson said that by 2023, peak traffic along Wisconsin
Avenue would increase by approximately 26 percent, causing
an increase from one to eight congested intersections nearby.
Even if the NIH did not grow over this 20-year period, Mr.
Wilson said that these intersections would become congested
largely due to background traffic. He noted that the contributing
factors were recent development in the Friendship Heights
area and regional growth in Montgomery County. He reported
that NIH traffic continued to be below 1992 MOU [memorandum
of understanding] levels. Minimizing NIH vehicle impact on
local streets would be accomplished by monitoring traffic,
expanding the ride- and trans-share programs, and using satellite
parking.
Mr. Wilson reported that a ratio of 0.50 parking space to
each employee on campus remained a goal, but he noted that
the NIH hoped to lower the ratio to 0.45. He said that replacement
of lost trees continued to be on a one-for-one basis. Mr.
Wilson said that existing or new systems on campus would accommodate
any need for additional utilities.
Timeframe/Milestones for MPU and EIS Review
Mr. Wilson offered CLC members CDs of the MPU and EIS and
provided his telephone number for queries [301-496-5037].
He presented the following review timeframe:
- October 1 (MPU release) to November 29, 2004 (public review):
60-day public and agency review
- November 8, 2004: Public meeting at Walter Johnson High
School—7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- December 16, 2004: Montgomery County Planning Board meeting
(MPU tentatively on the agenda)
- January 6, 2005: National-Capital Park and Planning (NCPC)
Board meeting
Stella Serras-Fiotes, Director, Division of Facilities
Planning, ORFDO, OD, NIH, emphasized that the MPU was a 20-year
framework to guide NIH development and keep growth orderly,
if it was found necessary, not a commitment to add 13 buildings
or more traffic.
Discussion
Campus Personnel
Eleanor Rice, Locust Hill Civic Association, and Tom Robertson,
Parkwood Residents Association, asked about personnel growth
on campus, noting that the current personnel level of 17,500
had not originally been anticipated until nearly 2015 in the
1995 Master Plan. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that a number of
factors now pointed to 22,000 personnel and that the NIH had
pulled back from any more growth. She noted that more personnel
had originally been anticipated in 1992, but then came government
downsizing followed by a doubling of the NIH budget.
Ms. Rice thought that growth would increase in the future
due to factors such as bioterrorism and associated research
needs for cell-based vaccines. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said the
NIH had not increased campus personnel levels in the last
three years because administrative staff had been moved to
leased space in satellite locations. Mr. Wilson added that
the number of personnel on campus had decreased since 2000.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes stated that the NIH anticipated growth by
only a few hundred per year. She said that the NIH could exercise
control by monitoring and that the anticipated growth to 22,000
could be accommodated comfortably.
Building Construction Projects
Ms. Rice and Lucy Ozarin, M.D., Whitehall Condominium Association,
asked how many parking levels would be visible at the facility
on the south side of campus. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that three
levels, or 30 feet, would be visible and two levels would
be imbedded in the hill. Dr. Ozarin asked when this parking
facility, the National Library of Medicine addition, and the
vivarium would be built. Ms Serras-Fiotes said that these
projects were scheduled in the latter part of the plan.
Ms. Miller inquired about the proposed 13 new buildings
and additions. Ms. Serras-Fiotes noted that this number included
replacement of existing buildings, e.g., three new buildings
in the south quad would occupy the space of one existing building.
Utility Service and Capacity Assessment
Ms. Rice and Stephen N. Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens
Association, wondered whether the current gas and sewer capacity
would serve for the anticipated growth. Ms. Serras-Fiotes
said that the gasline procurement action had been stopped
due to the NIH’s reassessment of future power needs.
She noted that there was no need in the immediate or near-term
future for increasing the NIH’s natural gas supply.
Mr. Sawicki asked when the need for gas would be reassessed,
because he thought that a study might be sprung on the community.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes noted that appropriations for this project
had dried up. She said that the gas pipeline was a county
project and outside the purview of the MPU. Ralph Schofer,
Maplewood Citizens Association, stated that if all the anticipated
buildings were constructed, there might be a need for more
power. He voiced his concern about future fuel costs. Stuart
Knoop, Oudens & Knoop Architects, P.C., said not to overlook
that the NIH had alternative sources of power and fuel, including
diesel. He said that decisions on power needs beyond 2011
would be resolved in the 2008 or 2013 MPU. Ms. Serras-Fiotes
added that if new construction were to tax the utility supply
then a new study and request for proposals would be initiated.
Mr. Sawicki recommended that the gasline item be included
in the EIS. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the NIH could not
conduct a theoretical study for this off-campus project. Ms.
Miller suggested that if the need arose, there would be an
appropriate process available through NEPA [National Environmental
Policy Act]. Mr. Sawicki suggested adding this wording to
the MPU. Ms. Serras-Fiotes noted these points and suggestions.
Transportation and Traffic
Mr. Robertson was concerned about the impact of increasing
NIH personnel to 22,000 and its contribution to the anticipated
26 percent increase in peak traffic. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said
that the NIH had reduced traffic to campus by 30 to 38 percent
since the 1992 MOU. Mr. Robertson noted that if campus parking
spaces totaled 11,000 [at the 0.50 ratio], there would be
more vehicles driving to and parking on the campus.
Fred Heider, Athavale, Lystad & Associates, said that
since 1992, the number of peak-hour trips to the NIH had already
been reduced by an average of 35 percent due to its transportation
management program. Despite the anticipated 26 percent regional
increase, he noted that this margin was available to the NIH,
as acknowledged in the MOU. Should the campus personnel not
reach the projected number of 22,000, Mr. Heider pointed out,
the cumulative impact on peak traffic would be lessened further.
Anticipating that NIH personnel would reach 22,000, Ms.
Miller wondered about monitoring the number of campus personnel
between 2004 and 2023. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that traffic
monitoring was conducted biannually and the results were reported
to Montgomery County and NCPC. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that
the NIH was committed to regular updates every five to seven
years. She further reported that the NIH conducted a campus
census annually. She said that if the trends changed or spikes
occurred, more aggressive action would be taken from a traffic-management
standpoint.
Mr. Schofer noted that peak-hour trip numbers were flattening
and he inquired about projections for traffic congestion on
Rockville Pike. Ms. Serras-Fiotes noted that seven to eight
congested sites were anticipated. Mr. Schofer said that these
sites would pose a problem for those traveling to the NIH
or beyond. He lamented that plans had been abandoned in the
1950s for a Wisconsin Avenue/Rockville Pike expressway or
an inner loop freeway.
Ms. Miller thanked Mr. Wilson for his presentation.
Presentation on NIH Building 33 and Current Construction
Projects
by Stella Serras-Fiotes, Director, Division of Facilities
Planning, ORFDO, OD, NIH
Clinical Research Center
Ms. Serras-Fiotes noted that the Mark O. Hatfield Clinical
Research Center had been completed. Anthony Clifford, ORFDO,
OD, NIH, said that laboratories were now being moved in and
that patients would be relocated to the Research Center from
the old hospital in Building 10 on December 4, 2004. Ms. Serras-Fiotes
said there were no further plans to renovate Building 10 at
this time.
MPL-10 and Building 33 Update
Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the parking facility near Buildings
31 and 33 was now open. She remarked that no one had complained
about the lights or traffic.
Ms Serras-Fiotes reported that 33 percent of Building 33
had been completed, including an animal facility, laboratory
mechanics, and plumbing. She noted that the project was on
schedule for a completion date of December 2005. She explained
that there would be a four- to six-month activation period
before personnel would be moved into the laboratories. Ms.
Serras-Fiotes said that the temporary mock-up building would
be removed in the late fall of 2005 and the site returned
to green space.
Discussion
Clinical Research Center
Ms. Rice asked about touring the new Clinical Research Center.
Ms. Miller said that an invitation had been sent to CLC members
and a tour, led by the Clinical Center’s Director, John
Gallin, M.D., had already taken place on October 12. Several
CLC members said that they had not received their invitations,
yet they wished to see the building. Ms. Miller and Ms. Serras-Fiotes
asked the OCL to try to arrange for another tour.
Ms. Rice asked about the name of the new Clinical Research
Center. Mr. Clifford said that it was named for former Oregon
Senator Mark O. Hatfield. J. Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association,
inquired about Senator Hatfield’s condition, after his
fall during the opening ceremonies. Mr. Clifford understood
that the Senator was recovering in Oregon.
Building 33
Mr. Sawicki noted that the stacks on the Porter Neuroscience
Research Center had not been shielded and the noise from the
fans had not been detected before its opening. He wanted assurance
that the NIH planned to complete Building 33 entirely before
bringing it online. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that individual
building plans had been submitted for CLC and NCPC review.
She noted her previous report at the September CLC meeting
when she announced that the shield installation at the Porter
Neuroscience Research Center would begin next month with completion
in Spring 2005. Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens
Association, reported that the noises from Building 37 and
the Neuroscience Center had become even more noticeable now
that the trees were losing their leaves. Ms. Serras-Fiotes
said that cost and engineering proposals would be considered
before a work schedule to correct the noise in the ventilation
systems could be announced.
Presentation on the New OCL Web Site, NIH Construction
Projects, and Emergency Drill
by Walter Mitton, Office of Community Liaison, OD, NIH
Web Site
Mr. Mitton presented a view of the OCL’s new web site
[http://ocl.od.nih.gov/default.asp].
He noted several features, including links to the perimeter
shuttle bus schedule, Recreation and Welfare housing information,
residential parking permit information, and current NIH construction
projects. Other site links included web sites for kids, NIH
research and event listings, OCL newsletters and history,
and future meetings of the CLC. He invited recommendations
and comments from the CLC.
Photos of NIH Construction Sites
Mr. Mitton showed photos of the Clinical Research Center,
the Children’s Inn addition, the Family Lodge, and the
South Drive entrance gate near Metro. Mr. Clifford noted that
there were photos of the Clinical Research Center’s
exterior and interior on the Clinical Center’s web site.
Mr. Mitton linked to this web site and displayed these photos
on the screen.
Emergency Drill: October 21, 2004
Mr. Mitton and Sharon Robinson, OCL, OD, NIH, had visited
and taken photos of the emergency preparedness drill held
at the Bethesda National Naval Medical Center (NNMC). Mr.
Mitton reported three facilities—NNMC, NIH, and Suburban
Hospital—had participated in these exercises. Ms. Miller
added that this drill was a Code Delta hazardous incident
that would be handled by these facilities. She noted that
patients injured in such an incident would be taken to Suburban
Hospital, and Suburban’s patients would be moved to
the NIH. She cited two nearby locations of hazardous materials
teams at Cedar Lane/Old Georgetown Road and Chevy Chase/Connecticut
Avenue fire stations. She added that Montgomery County’s
emergency personnel were found to be among the best in the
area at a recent conference they had attended in Richmond,
Virginia.
Discussion
Mr. Schofer asked who had designed the OCL web site. Mr. Mitton
said that, with OCL input, Palladian Partners, Inc., Silver
Spring, Maryland, had designed and revised the site.
OTHER ITEMS
Ms. Miller introduced a new CLC member, Darryl Lemke, who
replaced Jack Costello as representative from Bethesda Parkview
Citizens’ Association.
Mr. Schofer remarked that a nearby resident, who used the
perimeter path to run, had reported unsafe areas that were
not level. Mr. Clifford said that the asphalt surface was
placed on the existing grade. He suggested that Mr. Schofer
and others report to him the location of any problem areas.
He said that he would check the situation and make necessary
repairs. Dr. Ozarin said that the path was a great improvement
and used all the time.
Mr. Clifford reported the completion of the chain-link fence
replacement on the south border of the campus near the Whitehall
Condominiums. He said that the south lawn landscaping project
had been delayed until mid-November because the Maryland Department
of Environment was reviewing the plans. He offered to notify
CLC members by e-mail when a firm date had been set.
Mr. Sawicki noted that former CLC and Agenda Subcommittee
member Mort Goldman had retired from the Council. He asked
Ms. Miller who would make a decision about his replacement.
He thought that the CLC should suggest names. Ms. Miller said
that Dr. Goldman’s position had not been filled, but
that an appointment would be forthcoming. She noted that typically
the CLC had not elected members to serve on this committee
and that there was not a quorum present. Ms. Miller offered
to place this item on the agenda for discussion at the next
CLC meeting.
Mr. Schools said that an announcement would be forthcoming
about a partnership between the NIH R&W and the Smithsonian
Associates to offer discounted prices for programs to be held
nearby in Montgomery County.
ACTION ITEM
- Ms. Miller and Ms. Serras-Fiotes asked the OCL to try
to arrange another tour of the new CRC.
- Mr. Clifford said that he would walk the perimeter path
to look for areas that were not level or were unsafe. Members
were asked to provide information to Mr. Clifford about
path surface problem areas.
- Mr. Clifford said that he would notify CLC members of
the start date for the south lawn project.
AGENDA ITEM
- Ms. Miller said that the appointee to the Agenda Subcommittee
would be placed for discussion on the November CLC meeting
agenda.
NEXT CLC MEETING
Ms. Miller noted that the November 18, 2004, CLC Meeting would
take place in Lister Hill Center, Building 38A, at 4:00 p.m.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes remarked that this tall building was located
southwest of and behind the National Library of Medicine.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting ended at 5:33 pm.
CLC Members Present
Lorraine Bell, Palladian Partners, Inc.
Anthony Clifford, ORFDO, OD, NIH
Jeanne Goldstein, Montgomery County Civic Federation
Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association
Nancy Hoos, Sonoma Citizens Association
Darryl Lemke, Bethesda Parkview Citizens Association
Ginny Miller, Wyngate Citizens Association
Walter Mitton, OCL, OD, NIH
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
Randy Schools, Recreation & Welfare Association, NIH
Stella Serras-Fiotes, DFP, ORFDO, OD, NIH
J. Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association
Guests
Fred Heider, Athavale, Lystad & Associates
Joan Kleinman, U.S. Congressman Van Hollen’s Office
Stuart Knoop, Oudens & Knoop Architects, P.C.
Chris Williams, The Gazette
Ronald Wilson, DFP, ORFDO, OD, NIH
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