What’s in a name?

Would a master plan by any other name be as sweet?

Not according to the citizens advisory committee working on a plan for the future science center in White Oak near the Food and Drug Administration complex.

The committee voted on a name for the master plan at their meeting Tuesday night, choosing the title, “White Oak/FDA Science Gateway Master Plan.”

“I think we came out with a good compromise that actually reflects what we are trying to get done,” said committee member Jere Stocks, who is senior vice president of Adventist HealthCare.

The decision came after an hour and a half of meticulous discussion among committee members.

Before, the plan had been referred to informally as the White Oak/FDA Science Center Master Plan or the East County Science Center Master Plan.

The committee, however, decided that having “East County” in the title did not accurately reflect the plan area, which includes 3,000 acres between US 29, the Capital Beltway and the Prince George’s County border.

“What’s East County?” Stocks said. “It could be anywhere. ... The name really didn’t fit. I think what we have now, it puts us on the map in terms of national perspective.”

Other members balked over beginning the title with “FDA/White Oak,” because it made the plan sound as if it was a Food and Drug Administration creation.

The master plan aims to transform the site into a science and technology destination with the combined forces of the FDA compound and a mixed-use development called LifeSci Village. Adventist HealthCare is also hoping to relocate Washington Adventist Hospital to 50 acres nearby.

The committee originally voted by silent ballot from a list of four names chosen by a subgroup of the committee. The winner was the title with the most votes.

For about five minutes, the master plan was named “Communities of the White Oak/FDA Science Gateway Master Plan.”

But Jonathan Genn with Percontee Inc., which owns property in the study area, protested. He said the name was too long and had not received a majority vote.

“I think it will be a laughing stock,” Genn said at the meeting.

After other members agreed, the committee called for a revote. The group eliminated the title with the least votes and voted again by raising hands until they were left with one name.

“It should be short and to-the-point,” Genn said. “It is more effective in trying to get people to understand the value of what this grand vision is all about.”

The committee also worked on the plan’s vision statement at the meeting and heard presentations about traffic and transportation issues in the plan boundaries.

The committee’s next meeting will be held Oct. 13 at the National Labor College at 10000 New Hampshire Ave. in Silver Spring, where members will discuss parks and trails in the plan. ktousignant@gazette.net