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 GroupsTransportation,
Environment, and Constructionhad 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
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