HANDOUTS
- Agenda
- July 18, 2002, Community Liaison Council (CLC)
Meeting Minutes
- NIH CLC Members (roster as of August 21, 2002)
- The NIH Record, August 6, 2002, Vol. LIV, No.16
- The NIH Record, August 20, 2002, Vol. LIV, No.17
- National Institutes of Health, Perimeter Fence
Project, Project Report, August 2, 2002
- Access and Perimeter Security Plan Map, National
Institutes of Health, August 2, 2002
WELCOME
Dr. Thomas Gallagher, Director, Office of Community
Liaison (OCL), convened the meeting by welcoming attendees
and reiterating his interest in meeting with members
of the CLC in order to learn about the neighborhoods
around the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the
history of the area.
Dr. Gallagher introduced and welcomed Walter Mitton,
a NIH Management Intern, who will be working with the
OCL for the next 3 months.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
West Nile Virus
Dr. Gallagher referred to materials placed on a table
for distribution, noting that on August 20, 2002, the
BethesdaChevy Chase Regional Service Center (BCCRSC)
and Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) hosted a forum about the West Nile Virus.
Perimeter Fence
Dr. Gallagher announced that a mock-up of the perimeter
fence is on display, and he invited members of the CLC
to visit the site. It is located halfway between the
Bethesda Fire Station and The Children's Inn on the
north side of the NIH Campus at the bottom of the hill.
He directed members to walk onto the NIH Campus directly
across the street from 5409 W. Cedar Lane. The purpose
of the fence mock-up is to evaluate its construction
and fabrication needs rather than its design. Stella
Serras-Fiotes, Director of the NIH Office of Facilities
Planning (OFP), said the fence would be on display for
several weeks to permit viewing.
Share the Health Event
Dr. Gallagher invited CLC members to attend the OCL's
annual health forum, Share
the Health: An Exposition of Health Resources from NIH
to Its Neighbors, which will be held on Saturday,
October 26, 2002 and asked them to share information
and materials about the forum with their neighbors.
He announced that he would like to see this type of
community event taking place throughout the year, not
just on a once-a-year basis. Dr. Jeanne Billings asked
for copies of the Share the Health flyer to present
to members of the Wisconsin Condominium Association.
Storm Water Management
George Oberlander, of Huntington Parkway Citizens Association,
questioned the merit of the stormwater pond environmental
assessment process, which consists of an evaluation
checklist. He encouraged further consideration of this
approach in hopes of developing a more comprehensive
assessment than currently is underway. He wondered if
surface water movement, one of the techniques advocated
to discourage mosquito breeding, would suffice. In addition,
he stated that NIH neighbors need assurance about the
measures that will be taken to control mosquitoes and
to discourage other pests from inhabiting this site.
Dr. Lucy Ozarin offered that Whitehall Condominium
Association's main concern was mosquito control at the
proposed stormwater pond site, to be developed on southeast
corner of the Campus near her neighborhood.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes informed the CLC about the experience
NIH has had at its facility in Poolesville, MD, where
the eco-system developed for mosquito and insect control
included frogs and fish, grounds management, and other
environment management techniques. She offered to share
information about air and water movement at the Poolesville
site with the Montgomery County DEP.
Biodefense Laboratory
Jack Costello of Bethesda Parkhill Citizens Association
noted that the President's appropriations request for
FY 2003 includes funding for a new biodefense laboratory
that is proposed for the NIH Bethesda Campus. He remarked
that, although members expressed concerns about the
proposed site during recent CLC meetings, these concerns
have not yet been addressed. In addition, he remarked
that communications sent to the OCL in June, which included
five or six specific questions, remained unanswered.
Dr. Gallagher stated that the CLC's Agenda Subcommittee
would consider placement of this matter on a future
month's agenda. He requested that Mr. Costello resend
his communication, as he began his position as OCL Director
in July.
Dr. Kira Lueders noted that Parkwood Residents Association
had anticipated her report about the laboratory at its
upcoming meeting in September. Further, she stated the
association opposes the lab's proposed location, near
a built-up area and a school.
Dr. Gallagher introduced the Honorable Constance Morella,
Congressional Representative from Maryland's 8th District.
Congresswoman Morella stated the President's FY 03 budget
was not currently approved, but would undergo review
in the Appropriations Committee after Congress reconvenes.
She expressed her appreciation for the open dialogue
between the NIH and the CLC regarding the proposed laboratory
and stated that she will continue to be a part of that
dialogue.
NIH Metro Access
Lesley Hildebrand, CLC alternate member from Huntington
Terrace Citizens Association, offered to share updated
copies of her association's survey and charts about
her neighborhood residents' use of and access to Medical
Center Metro.
Marilyn Mazuzan of the Town of Oakmont emphasized that
pedestrian access across the NIH Campus to Metro is
essential to the members of her neighborhood.
Dr. Gallagher reiterated the sentiments of NIH Director,
Dr. Elias Zerhouni, about finding ways to protect NIH
and its needs without sacrificing convenience to NIH's
neighbors and to provide a solution, not the appearance
of a solution, for access to Metro.
NIH Outdoor Film Festival
Randy Schools of the NIH Recreation and Welfare Association
remarked that an estimated 20,000 movie-goers will attend
the NIH Outdoor Film Festival held this year at the
Strathmore Hall/American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
site. He stated that the Montgomery County Police will
handle traffic management and that the neighbors near
the new site have been supportive of the event.
Farmer's Market
Mr. Schools stated that he is working with the County's
Office of Economic Development to situate the Farmers'
Market in a new location that will meet the needs of
the NIH employees and residents.
Eleanor Rice wondered if the Farm Women's Community
Market site on Wisconsin Avenue had been considered.
Further, she shared Locust Hill Civic Association's
concern about the proposed biodefense lab building.
Comments by Rep. Morella
Congresswoman Morella remarked that, in addition to
being the Congressional District's representative, she
is also a neighbor of the NIH. Rep. Morella has sent
her aides to past meetings of the CLC and has been in
communication with the NIH Director and with Douglas
Duncan, Montgomery County, Maryland's County Executive
about current issues. She has been reviewing Medical
Center Metro access and contiguous transportation issues
as well as the needs and implications of security issues
for NIH and the surrounding community. She has toured
the Campus and remains attuned to issues regarding Metro
access. She said her aide, Mr. Bill DiIorio, keeps her
informed when he attends CLC meetings on her behalf,
because her duties on the Hill generally do not permit
her attendance at the 4 p.m. CLC meeting time.
Rep. Morella complimented the methodology used by the
CLC and the NIH staff to share information and review
mutual concerns; and she appreciates having the advice
of the CLC. She remarked that NIH and the community
have made good faith efforts to work together, and she
congratulated the steps they are mutually considering
to maintain a good relationship. Further, Rep. Morella
congratulated Randy Schools on the success of the NIH
Outdoor Film Festival. It was noted that Rep. Morella
celebrated her 48th wedding anniversary at this year's
presentation of the Wizard of Oz.
PRESENTATION
NIH Perimeter Fence Elements and Review of Plan
by Stella Serras-Fiotes, OFP, Office of Research
Services (ORS), NIH
Ms. Serras-Fiotes prefaced her presentation by introducing
Ron Wilson, NIH's new master planner, who for many years
previously worked for the National Capital Planning
Commission (NCPC). The schedule for review of the NIH
Access and Perimeter Security Plan included a preliminary
and final submission to the NCPC on August 2, 2002.
The perimeter fence will be discussed at the Montgomery
County Planning Board Meeting on October 10, 2002, and
at the NCPC meeting on November 7, 2002.
A view of the NIH Bethesda campus, providing locations
of contiguous streets and NIH Buildings, as well as
details about each fence element, was displayed on a
chart. Two smaller handouts of the chart were distributed
for reference. Ms. Serras-Fiotes reviewed the fence
elements, which include a perimeter fence, perimeter
vehicle barriers, vehicular gates, electrical surveillance
systems, and pedestrian gates. A black metal, picket-style
fence (similar to that surrounding the White House)
surrounds the two-mile outermost Campus areas, except
where other types of barriers are necessary for access
and egress. At these areas where additional protection
is required, boulder barriers, cable, landscaping, or
stone walls are planned. Ms. Serras-Fiotes stated wherever
there is potential for vehicle vulnerability, extra
protection and measures are planned.
The perimeter fence provides a 100-foot pedestrian
standoff from NIH buildings and a 250-foot vehicular
standoff. Outside of the perimeter fence there will
be a continuous sidewalk path for pedestrians. A paved
bike path, planned in the NIH Master Plan, is to be
developed in conjunction with the perimeter fence. It
will eventually tie in with Montgomery County's bike
path system.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes said the planners intend to respect
the residential buffer zone, where neighbors on the
south side of the campus typically use contiguous space
for activities, although the map is drawn otherwise.
The chain link fence on the south side of campus will
remain and a green space will be maintained between
the chain link fence and the perimeter fence.
Comments/Questions
Steve Sawicki of Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
asked if the bike path could be moved closer to the
fence to allow residents to use the green space for
soccer and other activities. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said
that it could and she will work with the planners to
make the necessary adjustments.
Lesley Hildebrand of Huntington Terrace Citizens Association
asked when the bike path would be constructed. Ms. Serras-Fiotes
said that a paved path would be put in immediately following
the construction of the fence, but a County-rated bike
pathway would not be developed until later.
Several CLC members asked about the pedestrian entrances
and how they would work. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that
all pedestrian entrances would be large enough to accommodate
bikes and strollers. She pointed out where the pedestrian
entrances were on the map and added that pedestrian
access will also be allowed at the vehicle entrances.
In response to a question about improvements to the
entrances, Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that improvements
will be made, but they are currently not part of this
plan. She also added that the residents quarters were
placed outside of the fence, since like other neighbors,
they needed constant resident access to their homes.
Ms. Rice said she was concerned about the potential
for security breaches if vehicles purposefully drove
down the ravine toward the radiation safety building.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes assured her that vulnerable topographical
areas of the campus will be reinforced.
Mr. Oberlander asked about the residential fence, shown
on display to be outside the NIH pedestrian fence, and
pedestrian access to this area. Ms. Serras-Fiotes remarked
that those living on campus would access their homes
via separate vehicular gateways, which would also accommodate
pedestrian entry.
Kristin O'Connor, M-NCPPC, asked if the fence will
enclose or bypass the stormwater pond. Mr. Serras-Fiotes
replied that the pond is to be outside of the perimeter
fence. However, she noted the location of the perimeter
fence and bike path on the soutwest corner and near
the stormwater pond will be clarified.
Entry Point Design
by William C. Stratton, AIA, Louviere, Stratton,
Yokel, LLC
The principal design elements for the vehicle and pedestrian
gate entrances were discussed. Gates include cardkey
entry at various points in the perimeter fence. The
perimeter fence abuts the vehicular and pedestrian gates
and gate houses. Their contemporary design reflects
the modernity of recently constructed NIH buildings
such as the Natcher Conference Center, Porter Neuroscience
Center, and the National Library of Medicine. Compatible
gate and entrance materials include stainless steel,
glass, limestone, and tapering curved glass roofs.
During heightened security alerts, pedestrian employees
will use a card that permits entry to a lighted vestibule
space. The same card permits access to the campus through
a second gate. Vestibule design and space also accommodates
bikes, strollers, luggage or handicapped aids and devices.
Guards can monitor the activity at these gates by camera
both during the day and at night. Ms. Serras-Fiotes
said other pedestrian and operational issues would be
addressed in future planning sessions.
There will be nine non-commercial vehicular gates,
for example, situated at Center, South, and Wilson Drives.
Each will have a manned security guardhouse, day and
night pedestrian employee card entry, liftgate barrier,
and a sliding picket fence closed during the night.
Access to Metro
by Dr. Tom Gallagher, Director, OCL, OD, NIH,
and Stella Serras-Fiotes, OFP, ORS, NIH
Dr. Gallagher reminded the CLC about the necessity
to provide a secure campus workplace and Dr. Zerhouni's
charge that NIH find a solution that would allow convenient
access to the Medical Center Metro with minimal impact
to local residents. Dr. Gallagher described six options
for providing access to Metro that the NIH considered
in depth. These options included: color-coded cards,
biometric scanning, interior Campus shuttle buses, golf
carts, and partnership with existing transportation
systems. These options posed operational or seasonal
impediments, significant costs, inconvenience to Metro
riders, or increased security staffing.
Ms. Serras-Fiotes stated that the proposed solution
expands the shuttle bus service that NIH currently uses
to transport employees and patients to points around
the internal NIH Campus, as well as to NIH facilities
located outside the NIH Bethesda campus. The proposal
would add an additional bus that will circle the external
perimeter of the Campus that the general public can
use to gain access to the Metro. The proposed route
would use existing Ride-On stops and would begin and
end at the Medical Center Metro station using the following
route: depart from Medical Center Metro heading south
on Rockville Pike to Woodmont Avenue to Battery Lane,
west on Battery Lane to Old Georgetown Road, north on
Old Georgetown Road to Cedar Lane, east on Cedar Lane
to Rockville Pike, and south on Rockville Pike to Medical
Center Metro.
The service would operate from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday. The circuit to and from Medical
Center Metro has been timed at 15 minutes for the two-mile
route. The new service will provide passengers several
advantages: multiple stops, rapid access to Metro, a
climate-controlled environment, a vehicle accessible
to those with disabilities, cost-free transportation
to riders, and expanded access local community members.
In addition, Ms. Serras-Fiotes explained that, although
ridership has unknown potential, NIH will monitor frequency,
times, and peak ridership, and use this information
to tailor service.
Comments/Questions
Several CLC members asked about if more buses could
be added if ridership warranted it. Dr. Gallagher said
that if ridership increases, NIH may need to consider
other options, such as adding more buses during peak
transit times.
Mr. Schools suggested that the Bethesda 8 shuttle bus
coordinate with the NIH campus bus for further transportation
options.
The CLC members and Rep. Morella felt that NIH has
made a good faith effort extending this service to the
community and complimented the solution.
OTHER BUSINESS
Future CLC Meetings and Topics
The next CLC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September
19, 2002, at the Natcher Conference Center, Building
45, Room F1/F2.
Future agenda items may include the following topics:
- The Agenda Subcommittee will consider when to discuss
the proposed biodefense laboratory.
- The location of the perimeter fence and bike path
on the southwest corner and near the stormwater pond
will be clarified. (The fence chart showed the fence
traversing and splitting an area used for neighborhood
activities.)
- Share the Health event report
Action Items
- CLC members can view the mock-up perimeter fence,
which should remain up for viewing for several weeks.
- Mr. Costello and others are invited to send concerns
and comments about the biodefense laboratory to Dr.
Gallagher.
- Ms. Serras-Fiotes, with Tony Clifford, will review
the placement of the perimeter fence and bike path
on the southwest corner. The area near the storm water
pond will also be clarified.
ATTENDEES
CLC Members
- Lorraine Bell, Palladian Partners, Inc.
- Jeanne Billings, Wisconsin Condominium Association
- Jack Costello, Bethesda Parkhill Association
- Harvey Eisen, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
- Ina Feinberg, City Commons of Bethesda
- Tom Gallagher, OCL, OD, NIH
- Jeanne Goldstein, Montgomery County Civic Federation
- Jennie Kirby, OCL, OD, NIH
- Terry LaMotte, Palladian Partners, Inc.
- Eric Larsen, Sonoma Citizens Association
- Kira Lueders, Parkwood Residents Association
- Marilyn Mazuzan, Town of Oakmont
- Debbie Michaels, Glenbrook Village Homeowners Association
- Walter Mitton, OCL, OD, NIH
- George Oberlander, Huntington Parkway Citizens Association
- Kristin O'Conner, M-NCPPC
- Lucy Ozarin, Whitehall Condominium Association
- Eleanor Rice, Locust Hill Civic Association
- Sharon Robinson, OCL, OD, NIH
- Stephen Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
- Randy Schools, Recreation & Welfare Association,
NIH
- Stella Serras-Fiotes, OFP, ORS, NIH
- Deborah Snead, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center
Alternates to CLC representatives
- Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association
Guests
- David Chung, ORS, NIH
- Bill DiIorio, Aide to U.S. Representative, Constance
Morella
- Catherine Dolinski, Gazette Newspapers
- Arturo Giron, OFP, ORS, NIH
- Tom Hayden, OFP, ORS, NIH
- Scott Herbstman, Gazette Newspapers
- Constance Morella, U.S. Congress, 8th District Representative
- William C. Stratton, AIA, Louviere, Stratton, Yokel,
LLC
- Shelley Weidl, Louviere, Stratton, Yokel, LLC
- Ron Wilson, OFP, ORS, NIH
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