NIH claims that Montgomery County Public Schools will be able to accommodate any increase in students, should it add additional employees over the next 20 years. At present, NIH expects 3000 current Bethesda-area off-site employees and contractors to be shifted to the Bethesda campus. It assumes, therefore, that their kids are already enrolled in the school system.
The report says that NIH is committing to retaining the campus-like feel of the facility in any further on-site development. Reviews will be conducted every five years over the 20-year life of the plan.
Allowed under the plan will be renovation and expansion of laboratory facilities.
Traffic impacts will not be insignificant. The planned shift of 3000 people to NIH will add 12% more NIH employee-driven vehicles to rush hour traffic on Bethesda roads around the site. It will generate an estimated additional 432 AM and 439 PM automobile trips. The report places great faith in the Purple Line and Bus Rapid Transit being implemented by the time the employees are transferred to the main campus. Of course, the Purple Line is in serious jeopardy, the BRT hasn't a dime in funding, and neither may have a significant impact on NIH-related traffic. That's because the Purple Line is far south of NIH, and the BRT ridership potential has been greatly overstated by its proponents. Why would someone board a BRT when there is a Metro stop on-site? Metro is far faster than BRT would be.
Parking provisions, which have been controversial in the community, will allow 1 new space for every 3 new employees moved to the campus. Noise levels will remain the same, and air quality will be within current government standards, the report predicts. NIH does predict, however, that its production of wastewater will increase, and it will enter discussions with the WSSC about upgrading its sewer facilities on-site.
