NIH Mulls New Campus Master Plan

Bethesda’s is seeking the public’s input in developing a 20-year campus master plan, according to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center and a report in The Gazette. The master plan may call for modernizing the campus by renovating and relocating laboratories, parking garages and support space, The Gazette reported.

The federal research agency held a public scoping meeting Feb. 28 to address issues including future construction, parking, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, and environmental issues at the site, according to the regional services center.

The meeting was in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires federal agencies to develop a detailed study before taking actions that could impact the environment.

In accordance with NEPA, NIH will release a draft environmental impact statement in the spring, which will be followed by another public comment period and a final impact statement slated for the fall, The Gazette reported.

Potential modernizations could include replacing building 31, relocating building 21, and replacing building 12 and 12A with a new laboratory and support space, according to The Gazette (check the NIH visitor map for the building locations). Old buildings at the site could also be replaced with laboratories, support space and parking garages, The Gazette reported.

Read the full story at The Gazette.

More information about the NEPA process at NIH is available online.