HANDOUTS

• Agenda, October 17, 2002, Community Liaison Council (CLC)
  
• September 19, 2002, CLC Meeting Minutes
  
• National Institutes of Health Community Liaison Council Member Roster (as of October 17, 2002)
  
• The NIH Record, October 15, 2002, Vol. LIV, No. 21

WELCOME

Dr. Thomas Gallagher, Director of the Office of Community Liaison (OCL) and CLC Co-Chair, welcomed the CLC members and alternates, and guests. He noted there was a full agenda for this meeting, and he acknowledged that, with many items to consider, he continues to try to find a balance on items for each month's meeting. Dr. Gallagher explained that his role is to present the NIH view to the CLC, as well as to bring the CLC's view to the Institutes. He asked members to keep in touch, and he offered to meet, at individual member's convenience, to keep an open dialogue.

WORKING GROUP REPORTS

CLC Transportation Working Group (TWG) Report
by Ginny Miller, Co-Chair, TWG

Ginny Miller, CLC Co-Chair and representative of the Wyngate Citizens Association, reported on the Transportation Working Group's (TWG) meeting that took place on October 16, 2002. The TWG is concerned about the security measures at the NIH Campus and its impact on transportation and the flow of traffic and its subsequent impact on the surrounding streets. While the report on the update to the Master Plan did not include a lot of changes, she said the Group wishes to update the TWG members who could not attend the meeting. Then, the TWG recommendations will be presented at the next CLC meeting.

Ms. Miller noted items that were covered in the meeting, including vehicle entrances and exits, the perimeter fence and changes coming forth after its installation, the Visitors Center, parking on Campus by NIH employees, and charts showing various statistics on how visitors and employees travel to work.

CLC Environmental Impacts Working Group (EIWG) Report
by Ronald Wilson, NIH Master Planner, Office of Facilities Planning (OFP), Office of Research Services (ORS), NIH

Dr. Gallagher introduced Ronald Wilson, who recently joined the staff of the NIH Office of Facilities Planning, who was formerly on staff as a Master Planner with the National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Mr. Wilson said he would present the report of the EIWG in the absence of Kenny Floyd, NIH, OFP, who is Co-Chair of the EIWG. The EIWG is comprised of four members and NIH staff. Mr. Wilson reported that Fred Heider, NIH, OFP, presented findings to the EIWG on Campus' utility capacities, i.e., the boiler, chilled water, and stormwater systems.

The Group discussed possible recommendations to bring to the CLC, and decided to reach consensus by circulating items within the Group by e-mail, before presenting them in November. The Group felt that in addition to this effort they may need to schedule another meeting.

PRESENTATIONS

Update on the NIH Campus Master Plan
by Stella Serras-Fiotes and Ronald Wilson, OFP, ORS, NIH

Mr. Wilson introduced Mr. Mark Maves, of the Smith Group, who showed some slides about the1995 Master Plan when it was adopted. He explained that the overall planning for the Bethesda NIH campus covers a 20-year period, from 1995 to 2015, with updates in 5-year increments. However, he added that the 2000 update has been delayed and now that update is currently taking place. Two particular objectives were targeted, the number of employees on the Bethesda Campus and physical plant development.

Mr. Maves said this 20-year plan refers only to the NIH's Bethesda Campus, and its provides a framework to be updated each 5-year period. This 20-year plan projected the personnel and facilities required to accomplish the work of the Institutes. The growth to the current 18,022 personnel count has been in the Intramural Research Program (IRP), which had been the intended growth area five years ago. The NIH planned for both personnel and buildings, which provide space for laboratories. He described the collegial interactions being promoted in the four quadrants. Mr. Maves noted the NIH growth now taking place evolved after a huge influx of federal dollars supporting biomedical research. These funds have been invested in the expanded Clinical Research Center (CRC), currently under construction, the Animal Research Center (ARC), where Buildings 14 and 28A are being consolidated, and the Neuroscience Research Center. Mr. Maves said that planning for all these areas required multiple considerations and objectives and principles for the buildings and their related functions. He cited open space, buffer zones, architectural principles, transportation—regarding internal Campus circulation—parking, and infrastructure (the power plant).

Ms. Serras-Fiotes and Mr. Wilson presented segments of the Update to the 1995 Master Plan. They explained that the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) required a Master Plan update each five-year period; however, they noted that the update was delayed by the events surrounding the 9-11-01 terrorists' attacks on federal and commercial entities. They said that two consulting firms, Grove/Slade and the Smith Group assist NIH with planning.

Mr. Wilson presented the updates on major changes that are planned, and also those based upon the requirement to provide security and safety improvements to minimize the vulnerability of the NIH facilities to acts of terror and other violence and damage. He presented a schematic, shown on a slide, of the roadway entrances and perimeter fence, which are key to reduce vulnerability to attacks. He noted several new elements, including surveillance and monitoring, perimeter fence materials, entrance gates, bike path, expansion at Natcher Center, and a new Visitors Center. In addition, he presented an illustration of the Campus and staff growth: Employees in 1995: 16,325; In 2020: 22,000 (projected). He noted there are limiting factors to any growth beyond 22,000 employees: utility services, environmental impacts, transportation, and previous agreements made with government planning agencies and nearby communities.

Further, Mr. Wilson said that the plan reaffirms and builds upon the 1995 Master Plan and the 1999 objectives and principles to improve open space, to encourage the use of bicycles, and to upgrade the power plant. Also, it assumes moderate growth on Campus and the wider use of off-Campus facilities. In addition, it incorporates new security considerations, including reducing the number of vehicle entrances to monitor and eliminate access to the Campus from Cedar Lane. Consideration has been given to limiting any impact on the buffer zone and to retain and preserve green space. He noted that the plan further develops and adds efficiency and collegiality to the central portion of the Campus through the expansion of Building 10, the Clinical Research Center. The plan allows for needed laboratory space in the northeast and southwest quadrants of the Campus, while the southeast quadrant gains more administrative space. In addition, the central portion gains space by removing the animal facilities and replacing these facilities with laboratory space. The central space will benefit by new landscaping, making a more attractive inner space for employees. The new animal center will move nearer to the south entrance. Finally, employee parking will be removed from the buffer zone, which then will return to open space.

Mr. Wilson cited future planning projects. Beyond this year, from 2003 to 2008, the plan includes the completion of the Clinical Research Center, the Lab B complex, multilevel parking structures, expansion at the Children's Inn and Family Lodge, the sub-station, Building 35–Neuroscience Center, and improvements to the power plant. The next phase, from 2009 to 2014, calls for a substantial amount of demolition, including Building 14 and the animal complex, at the same time the new animal vivarium is constructed. Building includes an addition to the National Library of Medicine and the Natcher Center, adding laboratories, support offices, vaccine labs, and parking facilities. From 2015 to 2020, he said there would be construction of several new laboratories, parking added beneath the central mall, in the south quadrant north of the new animal research center, and that renovations to Building 10 would continue.

The multi-level parking and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) schedules were delayed due to the events of 9-11-01; however, other Master Plan and environmental impact work proceeded according to the overall schedule. Mr. Wilson reported key future target dates that were shown on a slide:

• By December 2002: complete a preliminary draft of the Master Plan Update and dialog with NCPC and M-NCPPC.
  
• By January 2003: the draft of the Master Plan Update will be published for comment for a period of 45 days, and a public hearing scheduled.
  
• By February 2003: CLC's and other comments will be incorporated into the final Update.
  
• By April 2003: The Update is finalized.
  
• In May 2003, action is taken on the Update: NCPC reviews it, and NIH will issue a record of decision once the EIS is approved.

Discussion and Questions
Buffer Zone and Fence Elements
Stephen Sawicki, of Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association, asked where visitors would be able to approach the Campus, in the interim after the fence is constructed and before the Visitors Center completion in 2005 or 2006. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said she hopes the Visitors Center will be completed before the 2005 timeframe. She added that her office is working on an interim plan for vehicle entrances—one for visitors and the other for commercial vehicles—to be operational close to the schedule for the overall security system.

In addition, Mr. Sawicki asked about the 250-foot buffer zone and green space, which is to be restored after the parking facility is completed on the southwest side of the Campus. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the funding for that parking facility is yet uncertain. However, she said there is a need now to build the fence, taking into account the existing parking facilities and structures.

Parking & Landscaping
Ms. Serras-Fiotes pointed out that the schematic shown on slide needs to have the graphic of the tennis courts removed. Richard Sipe, Camelot Mews Citizens Association, noted that there seemed to be an abundance of surface parking. Ms. Serras-Fiotes responded that that part of the Plan might be redone.

Dr. Lucy Ozarin, Whitehall Condominium Association, asked about the number of stories of the parking garage on the south side of Campus and its proximity to the neighbors' property on that part of Campus. She asked whether the buffer zone would be maintained at 250 feet. Ms. Susana Arisso of the Smith Group said that the garage decks would step down with three bays, and only one deck would be visible above ground facing the south. In addition, Mr. Maves of the Smith Group said that the buffer zone of 250 feet would be maintained.

Mr. Sipe remarked that currently the green zone screening is spotty on the south side of the Campus, with holes to the right and to the left. He encouraged the planting of more evergreens at the southwest corner of Campus. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that NIH may be able to look at enhancing the landscaping in that location.

Off-Campus NIH Office Space
Dr. Jeanne Billings inquired about growth in the extramural and administrative staff at off-Campus locations, and particularly at Executive Boulevard. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that consolidation of office functions is an objective, whether the location is Executive Blvd., Rockledge, or other off-Campus areas. She said where to expand off-Campus hadn't been determined; however, within six months' time, a study would focus on where functions should be located. Dr. Billings remarked that the White Flint area already had been targeted for growth.

Biosafety Laboratory (BSL-2/3), Building 33 and Environmental Impact
Jack Costello, of Bethesda Parkhill Citizens Association, asked about a change from the 1995 Master Plan and EIS objectives to construct Building 33 and to designate it as a BSL-3 laboratory facility. Ms. Serras-Fiotes replied that this building had been presented in the 1995 Plan. She said this facility has the same environmental impact, based on the number of square feet for the building and does not require another EIS. Mr. Costello said there were other environmental factors to consider besides square feet and use of utilities. He cited the proposed BSL-3 lab being 1,000 yards from the Metro system, across the street from a grammar school, next to a major highway artery, and close to residential areas.

Eleanor Rice, Locust Hill Civic Association, and Ms. Miller remarked that they realize that the CLC had approved the 1995 Master Plan. However, they felt that 9-11-01 changed everything. Ms. Rice wanted to readdress the whole research enterprise and voiced her opposition to building the BSL-3 lab. Ms. Rice added that she that she does not want to direct blame at the NIH, because she realizes that NIH receives its mandate from Congress. She remarked that she knows that others, including NIH scientists, are expressing concern about this building.

Ralph Schofer concurred, stating that the standard of reference has changed since the 1995 planning, and people now are behaving differently. He cited the anthrax mail and other intimidating incidents.

Dr. Gallagher offered that he is trying to arrange a tour, before Christmas, of BSL-2/3 laboratories; and he hopes it will promote better understanding of the activities it would house. In addition, he intends to arrange for a question and answer format between CLC members and the scientists who are doing the research, and to explore together what takes place in these labs and safety issues that are in place. However, Dr. Gallagher stated that he would need time to arrange the tour and to locate the best people to answer the questions and concerns the CLC had posed.

Dr. Kira Lueders, Parkwood Residents Association, and Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association, supported the lab tour, but also feel that a tour will not allay concerns about the proposed BSL-3 building. Dr. Lueders's concern focuses on dangers from outside influences, not what comes internally from the work of the scientists. She added that Building 50 is not so interesting as the proposed BSL-3 in Building 33 that could be a target on someone's radar screen. Dr. Lueders referred to author Barbara Rosenberg's article published in the journal, Nature Medicine. Dr. Lueders said that Rosenberg, a bioweapons expert at the State University of New York (SUNY), wrote that construction of biological containment facilities could increase the chance of bioterrorism. Dr. Lueders noted that residents from her neighborhood wrote to NIH Director, Dr. Elias Zerhouni, stating that this lab would put the vulnerability of NIH at an entirely different level.

Marilyn Mazuzan, Town of Oakmont, added that while the NIH feels it needs a fence for protection, she said, the neighborhoods are beginning to feel that a "fence" may be needed to protect the community from NIH. She asserted that neighbors are concerned about their property values. Ms. Mazuzan added that neighbors have no way to protect themselves other than raising issues through the CLC.

Ms. Miller added that the fence would not protect the community from airborne dangers.

Ms. Debbie Michaels, Glenbrook Village Homeowners Association, expressed her interest in visiting these laboratories. She thought the CLC should reserve their objections prior to the tour, and she noted that nearby residents chose to live in this location along side the NIH. She believes that concerns need to be answered, and that the CLC should have more information before passing judgement, while urging CLC members to keep an open mind.

Dr. Gallagher asked if the CLC wished to have an enhanced dialogue and whether he should invite people to speak from a security perspective. Mr. Schofer asked if the risk assessment could be shared with the CLC. Ms. Serras-Fiotes cautioned there is only so much information and rationale that can be shared and that the formal risk assessment cannot be shared. Dr. Gallagher supported Ms. Serras-Fiotes noting that to share the risk assessment in this public forum could create further risk.

Placing the Lab at Another Venue
Mr. Costello wondered why this BSL-3 lab work could not be conducted in Frederick, Maryland, instead of in Bethesda. Mr. Costello, along with Mr. Schofer and Ms. Mazuzan, voiced that convenience to the scientists is not a valid argument to having the new BSL-3 lab facility at the Bethesda Campus, and they wondered about the cost of building lab space at another location. Dr. Lueders wondered how many people would have to move to Frederick if this lab were situated at Fort Detrick instead.

Dr. Gallagher explained that the labs that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) had established long ago in Frederick were developed to suit its particular research needs. He also cited that the location of the new Biodefense lab involves not only the scientists but also their families, who also are residents of the area surrounding Bethesda. Dr. Gallagher added that synergy moves science rapidly among various disciplines, and that the new laboratory space would allow for more timely and efficient science, as it relates to the current mandate. He reminded the group that this research involves NIAID and its synergy with other Institutes that are all located in Bethesda.

Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association, thought that Dr. Zerhouni had expressed interest in looking at all the issues raised by the CLC. Dr. Gallagher agreed that the discussion stage has begun and that the dialogue has been excellent. He said he feels obligated to provide more information to the CLC by lining up expert speakers, who could address these issues specifically.

Timetable for Future Master Plan Updates and Follow-up on Construction
Ms. Miller asked Ms. Serras-Fiotes about the timeframe for the next projections and updates to the Master Plan. Ms. Serras-Fiotes replied that the original schedule had been thrown off by the events of 9-11-01, therefore, the next update would take place five years hence in 2007. Ms. Miller inquired about different areas where work would take place, including the expansion plans for Natcher Center and the National Library of Medicine (NLM), and the surface parking areas situated near the buffer zone.

Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the NLM addition is new in the 1995 update. She described it as a mirror image of the current NLM office tower, with the library collection being housed underground and service functions using the 200,000 square feet above ground.

Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that parking at the NLM would be partially underground and partially above ground at the south side of the Campus. She said there will be new parking facilities under the central mall and in the northwest quadrant. She noted that the existing surface parking would be replaced by underground parking in the northeast quadrant. When Ms. Miller asked about completion, Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that this northeast parking area would be completed as early as 2005. In addition, she said the surface parking would be returned to grass after the construction. Ms. Serras-Fiotes added that funding for these items is included in the FY 2003 budget, which is yet under consideration by the Congress.

Mr. Schofer inquired about parking space limits, including those at the new expansion space at the NLM and Natcher Center. He wanted to know whether there would be an incremental increase in the number of vehicles on Campus based on these additional parking spaces. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that there is a target ratio of .45 to .5 parking spaces to employees. She said there exists a building by building table showing the incremental projected increase in the NIH population; however, it was not among the materials in this presentation.

Observations and Questions about Constraints
Pat Southerland, Huntington Parkway Citizens Association, summarized items under consideration by the EIWG, and observed that many of the constraints are "soft" constraints, for example, sewer capacity, which could be overcome. He asked specifically about the demolition near the power plant and whether there would be room to expand at Building 11. Anthony Clifford, NIH Division of Engineering Services (DES), ORS, answered that expansion of the power plant had been accounted for in the Master Plan. He added that there is plenty of capacity at the power plant for future power needs and that would not be a constraint. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said there is an envelope around the power plant and room for expansion planned to year 2020.

Mr. Southerland suggested to Dr. Gallagher that the CLC's Agenda Subcommittee might consider some issues for future agendas. He thought that explaining the synergy of scientists and why synergy enables more efficient science would be helpful. He continued by stating that, although he is appreciative of NIH trying to be a good neighbor, the issue of fear is not just a palpable fear of the CLC, but is widespread over the nearby communities. His Association is particularly concerned about the new animal vivarium and the stormwater pond and the potential that these could bring pests to the area. He noted that Bethesda already has a preexisting rat problem that has been a concern to his community.

Gas Line
Ms. Rice remarked that the gas line for co-generation might be another constraint. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the gas line, while not part of the Master Plan, is being addressed by the CLC's EIWG. Mr. Schofer wondered about the current status of gas line plans. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said there had been a number of bids submitted for the project, and that the OFP had asked that revised bids be submitted, and these would be evaluated within the next month. She noted that the CLC has representation on the EIWG as does Montgomery County. As members of a joint committee with NIH, ongoing they have been involved in the gas line plan.

Dr. Gallagher said that the report of the EIWG had been tentatively planned for the November 2002 agenda.

Growth in Campus Scientific Personnel
Ms. Rice wondered about the Campus personnel growth projections and whether 18,000 employees could do the NIH's scientific work. Ms. Serras-Fiotes noted that the upward limit of 22,000 NIH employees for all Campus activities had been set forth in the Master Plan. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that if additional space or personnel are required that would be handled in a separate study.

Ms. Rice asked about the completion of the new space at the Clinical Research Center in 2003. Ms. Serras-Fiotes noted that, after the new space is finished, large portions of the older part of the building would undergo renovation construction; therefore, full occupancy and utilization of this space would not be reached until 12 to 15 years from now.

Campus Perimeter and Access
Ms. Michaels queried Ms. Serras-Fiotes about whether the trucks would be waiting to enter the Campus on Wisconsin Avenue once the perimeter fence is in place. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that the stacking area required for trucks is being studied. She said that the completion of the commercial vehicle security check area would be completed after the fence is in place. Ms. Michaels wondered if a truck does not pass the security check whether NIH had established a fall back procedure. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that there is such a plan.

Ms. Hildebrand remarked that there are disparities in various reports about the fence and the path around the perimeter. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that all references cited by Ms. Hildebrand are correctly stated; however, she said the schematic drawing shown to the CLC does not reflect the different stages of the construction of these areas. Ms. Serras-Fiotes pointed out that the green dashed line shows the full network of the bicycle path. NIH is adding easement for the bike path that may be upgraded by the County at a later date. Also, she explained that there are co-portions and easements along the perimeter next to Old Georgetown Road, Rockville Pike, and Cedar Lane, where there is an existing sidewalk that could be used by pedestrians and bike riders. There will be a connection constructed by NIH on the south side of Campus linking the existing sidewalks on Old Georgetown Road and Rockville Pike for both bicyclist and pedestrian use. Ms. Serras-Fiotes added that the perimeter fence, path, and shuttle bus service are all scheduled to be in place when the entrance/exit gates are completed and the whole system becomes operational.

Referring to a follow-up question about the existing bike path on the Cedar Lane side of Campus, Ms. Serras-Fiotes said the County currently maintains bike paths approaching Campus from the north only to Cedar Lane's sidewalks.

Mr. Sawicki, revisited the issue of convenient access to the subway. He learned that NCPC will issue a statement that the proposed NIH shuttle perimeter bus system will be inadequate in meeting passenger demand. Other CLC members wondered about the projections for the number of passengers the shuttle bus would carry and the time it would take to ride to the Metro from the farthest points from the subway. Mr. Sawicki also mentioned new types of entry scanning available and wondered about their use to provide access to the Campus. Ms. Hildebrand said that someone at the NCPC meeting said that NIH seems to have taken a position that nobody should have access, rather than determining who should gain access to the Campus.

Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that a single point of access to Metro and the Campus, in conjunction with a perimeter shuttle bus, offered a workable solution to a large population that does not require layers of additional administrative management.

Ms. Mazuzan remarked that today she observed interviewers at the Medical Center subway entrance who had not approached her for her opinion and wondered who was conducting the survey. Ms. Serras-Fiotes was not completely sure who was conducting the survey today. However she said she would get back to Ms. Mazuzan with that information.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Andrea Sincoff of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center announced that the Bethesda Arts Festival, scheduled for the weekend of October 19-20, had been cancelled.

Ms. Miller said that the owner of the Community Store was pursuing a text amendment zoning change with the County for his business enterprise at the corner of Greentree and Old Georgetown Roads.

Ms. Jennie Kirby, OCL, OD, NIH, reminded the CLC about featured events taking place on Saturday, October 26, 2002, at the NIH's Share the Health community health forum.

The meeting adjourned with Dr. Gallagher's reminder that CLC members keep in touch.

ACTION ITEMS

• Ms. Serras-Fiotes said that she would look at enhancing the landscaping on the south side of Campus.
  
• Dr. Gallagher will set up a tour of an on-Campus BSL and find appropriate scientists to discuss safety issues about the research and the buildings in which the research takes place.
  
• Ms. Serras-Fiotes will inquire about who was conducting a survey at Metro on October 17th , and report this information to Ms. Mazuzan.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

November 21, 2002

• TWG and EIWG reports are tentatively planned for the November 2002 agenda;
  
• A tour of Campus BSL-2/3 laboratories; and
  
• A presentation will cover the need for synergy among the Campus-based Institutes and scientists and their study of biological agents used for terrorism.

NEXT CLC MEETING

The next CLC meeting will take place on November 21, 2002.

ATTENDEES

CLC Members

• Lorraine Bell, Palladian Partners, Inc.
• Jeanne Billings, Ph.D., Wisconsin Avenue Condominium Association
• Stefanie Brown, NCPC
• Anthony Clifford, DES, ORS, NIH
• Jack Costello, Bethesda Parkhill Citizens Association
• Jule Crider, Chevy Chase View
• W. David Dabney, Bethesda Urban Partnership
• Thomas Gallagher, Ph.D., Director, OCL, OD, NIH
• Jennie Kirby, OCL, OD, NIH
• Terry LaMotte, Palladian Partners, Inc.
• Eric Larsen, Sonoma Citizens Association
• Kira Lueders, Ph.D., Parkwood Residents Association
• Marilyn Mazuzan, Town of Oakmont
• Debbie Michaels, Glenbrook Village Homeowners Association
  Ginny Miller, Wyngate Citizens Association
• Walter Mitton, OCL, OD, NIH
• Lucy Ozarin, M.D., Whitehall Condominium Association
• Eleanor Rice, Locust Hill Civic Association
• Sharon Robinson, OCL, OD, NIH
• Stephen Sawicki, Edgewood Glenwood Citizens Association
• Ralph Schofer, Maplewood Citizens Association
• Randy Schools, Recreation & Welfare Association, NIH
• Stella Serras-Fiotes, OFP, ORS, NIH
• Andrea Sincoff, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center
• Richard D. Sipe, Camelot Mews Citizens Association
• J. Paul Van Nevel, NIH Alumni Association

Alternates to CLC representatives

• Lesley Hildebrand, Huntington Terrace Citizens Association
• Pat Southerland, Huntington Parkway Citizens Association

Guests

• Susana Arisso, Smith Group
• Catherine Dolinski, Gazette
• Margot Durkin, Stone Ridge School
• Stuart Knoop, Gudensky & Knoop
• Mark Maves, Smith Group
• Rodney Winchel, NIAID, NIH
• Ronald Wilson, OFP, ORS, NIH