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Community Liaison Council Meeting Minutes
April 15, 2004, 4–5:35 p.m.
Natcher Conference Center, Building 45, Room D
DRAFT

HANDOUTS

  • Agenda
  • NIH Bethesda Campus 2003 Master Plan Update: CLC Briefing, April 15, 2004 (slide copies)
  • Community Liaison Council Meeting Minutes:
    February 19, 2004
    March 18, 2004
  • NIH Community Liaison Council Member List (as of April 12, 2004)
  • Share the Health Agenda

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
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.

Dr. Gallagher reported that the presentation on the NIH Road Map would be postponed until the May 20, 2004 meeting. He added that he hoped to arrange for the May CLC meeting to be held at the Children's Inn at NIH. While there, he said that the members might tour the newly-expanded facility.

Minutes
Dr. Gallagher asked the CLC members to review the minutes from the previous two months' meetings and send any updates, comments, or corrections directly to the OCL. He said that these minutes would be presented for approval during the May CLC meeting.

PRESENTATIONS

Presentation on NIH Master Plan Update
by Ronald Wilson, Master Planner, Division of Facilities Planning, Office of Research Facilities (ORF), NIH

Dr. Gallagher introduced Ronald Wilson, Master Planner, Division of Facilities Planning, ORF, NIH. Mr. Wilson said that his presentation on the 2003 Master Plan Update (MPU) would highlight the 1995 Master Plan's major features and updates to the plan. He mentioned that recommendations and comments from three NIH Working Groups—Transportation, Environment, and Construction—had been incorporated into the MPU. Mr. Wilson said that his presentation would focus on the Bethesda NIH Campus. He noted that the NIH comprises six facilities around the United States, each designed to support the overall NIH mission, and each requiring distinct planning to suit its community context. Mr. Wilson presented a slide of an aerial view that revealed existing facilities on the Campus. He explained that the Master Plan was tied into the mission and priorities of the NIH and provided an "envelope" for accommodating development, if and when it occurred, depending on budget constraints and federal government directives.

Mr. Wilson noted that at this time, 17,500 employees occupied the Campus. In 1995, he said that Campus growth had been projected over 20 years to increase from 16,350 to 18,000 employees. The 2003 MPU proposes a Campus ceiling of 22,000 employees. Dr. Gallagher wondered how this maximum number had been determined. Mr. Wilson said that the Institute and Center (IC) Directors had made projections of moderate staff growth to support the research agenda, and the masters planners factored in desirable environmental qualities. Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association, wondered about accommodating an additional 4,500 employees by 2015. Mr. Wilson noted that this projection was a level perceived to be achievable on Campus without negative impact. He mentioned that constraints such as transportation issues had been considered.

Mr. Van Nevel asked whether the idea was to consolidate the NIH Intramural Program activities on the Campus and to provide facilities for extramural activities off the Campus. Mr. Wilson said the present combined number of employees situated both on and off Campus was just less than 25,000. He reported that there was a related study under way to develop a strategy for consolidating or crusting off-Campus leased sites and to propose alternatives for future growth. Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association, asked when this study would become available. Mr. Wilson said that the study was under high-level internal NIH review and likely would not be available for several months. Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association, wondered if this study had been contracted out. Mr. Wilson confirmed that the NIH had received help with the study. He reiterated that the NIH was committed to the proposed Campus limit of 22,000 employees.

Mr. Wilson indicated that buildings constructed from 1996 to 2003 included Building 50, the Vaccine Research Center, the NIH Fire Station, a substation, power plant expansion, the East Child Care Center, and the start of Building 33. Mr. Wilson explained that, in addition to new buildings, the plan addressed aging infrastructure and revitalization, for example, the Clinical Center Complex renewal program. He noted that the NIH competed with private institutions and other biomedical centers to attract and retain researchers and stressed that for this reason it was important to provide an appropriate work environment and amenities.

Mr. Wilson emphasized that the goals of this MPU remained identical to those in the 1995 Master Plan and that the important items had not been abandoned. George Oberlander, Huntington Parkway Citizens Association, asked about the utilities planned for this maximum capacity. Mr. Wilson said that both the Master Plan and the 2003 MPU included the addition of utilities, and that over time all factors could be added together to provide an answer to his question. Stella Serras-Fiotes, Director, Division of Facilities Planning, ORF, stressed the importance of having utilities available for the sites anticipated to need them. Mr. Wilson cited a number of constraints that influenced planning, including transportation, limiting the impact of traffic during peak hours; adding boilers and chillers; archeological aspects; and air quality issues, including the recent re-designation of the region's air quality.

Tom Robertson, Parkwood Residents Association, remarked that it would be difficult to predict what would take place 5 to 10 years in the future because plans might be altered by the emergence of new diseases and government directives. He asked if the planning for the NIH physical framework had been based on speculation about what would be needed; and he wondered whether there was a component of the MPU that focused on this. Mr. Wilson said that the objective had been to create a Plan that was flexible and adaptive. He said that this required being responsive to current and future research initiatives and priorities, and being able to change quickly to meet needs as they arose. Anthony Clifford, ORF, NIH, added that many of the designs for laboratories were very flexible and adaptable and easy to modify. He described some labs as having few internal walls or containing four to six modules.

Mr. Wilson mentioned the overall planning concepts in the 2003 MPU, which included building and land use, open space, transportation and circulation, infrastructure, and security improvements (noting that security had not been so prominent an issue before 2001). In particular, Mr. Wilson said that development in the Center Mall would be enhanced by open space, where some buildings would be demolished. Mr. Van Nevel observed that the Porter Neuroscience Center and the area next to the National Library of Medicine had been placed in proximity to the buffer zone. Mr. Wilson noted that the continuing objective was to preserve the buffer zone; although he said that the perimeter buffer had been redesigned to include a security fence.

Lucy Ozarin, M.D., Whitehall Condominium Association, asked about the green space on the south side of the Campus and the quality of the landscaping associated with the proposed underground parking garage. In addition, she emphasized the importance of maintaining the south 250-foot buffer zone. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the buffer zone would be maintained. Mr. Oberlander and Dr. Ozarin asked about other plans for the southwest and south portions of the Campus, including the old tennis court location and the Animal Research Center. Mr. Wilson said that it would be at least 4-5 years before construction phases of the new Animal Research Center began. He added that this construction would depend on funding.

Dr. Gallagher reported that he had received many questions about surface parking lots on Campus. He asked Mr. Wilson to show the scheme that indicated where new parking facilities would be built and which existing surface lots would be reclaimed. Mr. Wilson pointed out locations in the northeast and northwest quadrants, where new multilevel parking (MLP) garages [MLP-A and MLP-B under construction] had already replaced surface parking. He noted that the MPU included removal of surface parking in the Central Mall area in the southern portion of the Campus and construction of new parking facilities in two locations [MLP-C and an addition to MLP-7A]. He said that the construction of MLP-C could begin after construction of the Animal Research Center in approximately 7 to 8 years. Mr. Wilson said that the old tennis courts would be returned to green space.

Mr. Oberlander asked that a larger reproduction in color of the Illustrative Campus Master Plan (p. 8 of the handout) be provided to CLC members. He asked about the addition shown to Building 45, Natcher Center. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that a building would be constructed that mirrored the existing office complex. Randy Schools, R&W wondered about the Campus Center, a health-promotion center for employees. Mr. Wilson said that Building 34 would be adapted and reused or a new center would replace it in that location.

Mr. Oberlander asked about plans for the interior loop road. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that no new miles of road were to be added. Instead, she said that the roads would be straightened or widened in some locations to accommodate bikeways. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that in each area, the road profile would be slightly different. Mr. Wilson referred to the illustration of the loop road concept on page 8 of the handout. He said that the loop road remained the same as indicated in the 1995 Master Plan.

Mr. Oberlander followed up by asking Mr. Wilson to cite specific new buildings that had not been included in the 1995 Master Plan. Mr. Wilson named new projects and security features, including the perimeter fence and gates, the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility, the Visitor's Center, and the addition to the National Library of Medicine. He noted that an amendment to the 1995 Master Plan allowed the Children's Inn expansion and construction of the Family Lodge. In addition, Mr. Wilson said that a major feature of the Plan was limiting the number of access points on the north side of the Campus from Cedar Lane. Gates on that side would be only for pedestrians, except at West Drive where there would be an access gate for emergency vehicles and for Clinical Center patients and their visitors.

Evacuation Plan
Mr. Schofer asked if there were an evacuation plan and wondered about the impact on West Cedar Lane of an NIH emergency closure. Although evacuation plans were not a part of the Master Plan, Mr. Wilson said that a plan were developed by the Division of Emergency Preparedness with input from the NIH Planning Office.

Landscaping Plan
Mr. Oberlander wanted to know if the MPU included a section about landscaping and, in particular, whether it would show where new trees would be planted and large trees removed. He added that conceptually the NCPC would want to review this aspect, and that the Master Plan was supposed to show it. Mr. Wilson said that each project has a generalized landscaping plan. He noted that there was an illustrative plan and information in the Environmental Impact Statement. In addition, Mr. Wilson said that the State of Maryland had requested inventory and planning information, due next year. However, he offered to check with Fred Heider about a more detailed concept. He remarked that there would be preservation of trees and no net tree loss. Mr. Wilson said that typically two trees were planted to replace each one lost. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that there would be small clumps and clusters of trees at new facilities. She stated that there is an inventory of existing trees and also general calculations about replacement trees. She also said that the existing mature trees in the four corners of the Campus would remain untouched. Dr. Gallagher mentioned that Lynn Mueller of the Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping Branch had a detailed list and count of trees, including those existing, and those being replaced or moved to other locations.

SCHEDULE AND REVIEW OF MASTER PLAN UPDATE

Mr. Wilson noted that the 1995 five-year Bethesda Campus Master Plan had been approved in 1996 by the, National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC). Further, he noted that a major milestone had been the endorsement of the MPU in January 2003 by the NIH leadership. Ms. Serras-Fiotes mentioned that the draft had been presented to the DHHS for review. After this review, Mr. Wilson said that a draft version and EIS would be made available for public review in June, followed by a public hearing in July held by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). He said the last hurdle would be cleared in the fall of 2004 when the NCPC would review and approve the MPU.

Jack Costello, Bethesda Parkhill Citizens Association, and Mr. Oberlander advised that the public hearing in July should be rescheduled because many Montgomery County citizens would be away on vacation. Mr. Costello wondered if a delay in the hearing would pose any inconvenience to NIH planning. Mr. Wilson and Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the process would need to move forward because NIH was considering and developing other projects. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that she would look into the possibility of a change in the schedule, but she thought there would be no change, because M-NCPPC closed for the month of August. Mr. Robertson agreed that the public would not like having a public hearing during vacation time. He recommended getting a notice out well in advance of the hearing. Mr. Oberlander suggested that the MPU and associated documents be made available on the Internet. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that was an excellent suggestion because it would be inexpensive and the MPU existed in electronic format. Dr. Gallagher offered to place the MPU on the Office of Community Liaison web site [http://ocl.od.nih.gov/].

Other Items
Mr. Schofer asked about the current status of the gas pipeline project and Mr. Oberlander asked whether the gas pipeline expansion had been an item included in the 2003 MPU. Although the gas pipeline project had been placed on hold for an indefinite period, Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that she would obtain an answer about the technical aspects of the project. Mr. Clifford noted that the energy efficiency of the new facilities and the volume of natural gas that could come through the existing line had contributed to the reevaluation of the pipeline project.

Mr. Oberlander asked where the additional 3-million square feet (sf) of new construction was shown on the schematic. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the net was 3-million sf, and of that, 1-million had been allocated to the Clinical Center addition. She noted that items colored in orange on the schematic indicated new construction. Ms. Serras-Fiotes stated that tables and sequences included in the MPU would provide information about project areas.

Presentation on Share the Health
by Walter Mitton, Community Relations Specialist, Office of Community Liaison, OD, NIH

Dr. Gallagher said that Walter Mitton and Amy Blackburn, both of the OCL, had been very busy working on the details of Share the Health: NIH's Premier Health and Fitness Expo. He asked Mr. Mitton to update the CLC about all the activities that had been planned for this one-day event on April 24, 2004. Mr. Schools complimented Mr. Mitton and Ms. Blackburn on their remarkable efforts to assemble a wonderful team.

Mr. Mitton provided a 22-page agenda handout of the day's activities scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Montgomery Blair High School. He said that this event would offer interactive health seminars and exhibits, health screenings, hands-on lab experiments, science games, sports clinics, fitness demonstrations and games, children's activities, and parenting workshops. Mr. Mitton said that children, teens, adults, and seniors would be offered health information and activities, and that there would be free health screenings to help community members discover if they were at risk for stroke, high blood pressure, skin problems, osteoporosis, or obesity. He noted that many activities would be repeated throughout the day.

Mr. Mitton reported that there was a large number of volunteers who would assist with the indoor and outdoor activities. He said that this group comprised students, parents, community members, teachers, and NIH personnel. He noted that Takoma Park Middle School and Montgomery Blair High School had assembled an exhibit to highlight their students' science projects. In addition, he said that the NIH Office of Education would provide a virtual career center and that information would be presented about career opportunities for students at the U.S. Public Health Service.

Mr. Mitton said there would be school floor plans, maps, and printouts of activities available on-site. Because parking would be limited, he urged attendees to use the free shuttle bus service from the Silver Spring Metro Station leaving every 20 minutes. He said the Priority One Shuttle would be parked in the taxicab area and not in the Metrobus lanes.

Mr. Robertson asked if those on the e-mail list that he had provided to Mr. Mitton had received information about Share the Health. Mr. Mitton said he had distributed information to those on the list and he asked CLC members to encourage their neighbors to attend the event.

OTHER ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Hildebrand asked Dr. Gallagher whether there was information about neighbors' requests to cross the Campus, after activating the security fence, to gain access to Metro. Dr. Gallagher said that Congressman Chris Van Hollen was exploring legislative solutions and an internal NIH group had been tasked to find a solution. He cautioned that Campus security was the overarching issue.

Mr. Schools reported that "Art for Fine Living," an initiative of the NIH R&W and Strathmore, would take place from June 11-13, 2004, on the Strathmore grounds. He said this traveling event draws top designers and artists from across the country.

ADJOURNMENT

Dr. Gallagher adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m.

ACTION ITEMS

  • Mr. Oberlander asked that a larger reproduction in color of the Illustrative Campus Master plan (p. 8) be provided by the ORS to CLC members.
  • Mr. Wilson offered to check with Fred Heider about a detailed Campus landscape concept.
  • Mr. Oberlander requested that the MPU and associated documents be made available on the Internet.

NIH Building and Campus Evacuation Information
ORS Security & Emergency Response service
http://www.opm.gov/emergency/index.asp#employee
http://www.nih.gov/about/visitorsecurity.htm
http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/

CLC Members Present:

  • Lorraine Bell, Palladian Partners, Inc.
  • Jack Costello, Bethesda Parkhill Citizens Association
  • Tom Gallagher, Ph.D., OCL, OD, NIH
  • Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association
  • Marilyn Mazuzan, Town of Oakmont
  • Walter Mitton, OCL, OD, NIH
  • George Oberlander, Huntington Parkway Citizens Association
  • Lucy Ozarin, M.D., Whitehall Condominium Association
  • Tom Robertson, Parkwood Residents Association
  • Sharon Robinson, OCL, OD, NIH
  • Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association
  • Randy Schools, Recreation & Welfare Association, NIH
  • Stella Serras-Fiotes, Office of Research Facilities Development and Operations
  • Deborah Snead, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center
  • J. Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association

Guests

  • Anthony Clifford, ORF, NIH
  • Chris Williams, Gazette
  • Ron Wilson, ORS, NIH