Maryland Community Newspapers Online
The Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure action of 2005 has impacted families and facilities across the nation, including the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. With just two years until all 2005 BRAC movements must be completed and facing the constraints of space and a national economic downturn, we must work harder and more collaboratively to do more with less and make Bethesda's BRAC a success.
The medical center's mission extends beyond our local region. Its service and treatment of our wounded soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines is a national responsibility. While the majority of the nation's BRAC changes are occurring in less-populated areas, the medical center is located in an urban community with little room to grow.
BRAC will bring over 2,000 new employees and double the number of patient trips to the center. While many employees and visitors will use mass transit, there will be an increase in the number of vehicles on local roads. To address these impacts on the Bethesda and larger Montgomery County communities, a series of transit, bicycle and pedestrian improvements were defined in the 2007 State BRAC Action Plan. This plan also included the design of short-term, low-dollar improvements at four intersections near the Bethesda campus. At the time, few could predict the current economic downturn that has left our funding streams for infrastructure projects dwindling, if not completely depleted.
To date, there is insufficient funding to build out the multimodal plans developed by the state and county. However, the state has retained and dedicated nearly $36 million for the BRAC intersection and transportation improvement program for the medical center. While these funds will not be enough to complete all intersection and non-automobile improvement projects around the center, we have forged stronger working relationships and articulated shared goals with local and federal leaders to develop an incremental plan that will see the Bethesda community and the center through this BRAC move.
Our multitiered and multimodal approach includes intersection, mass transit and pedestrian/bicycle access improvements.
Tier one includes projects that are already sufficiently funded and ready to move along toward construction. Funding mechanisms for tier two projects have been identified and these projects will begin as soon as funds become available. Tier three projects are larger, more expensive and more permanent projects that require additional planning and more comprehensive collaboration with community, county and local stakeholders — including county
residents.
Moving ahead on these improvements will require commitment and coordination among all levels of government. At the state level, Gov. Martin O'Malley and I are working in partnership with Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, U.S. Rep Chris Van Hollen, senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, and the Navy. We are engaged in efforts to push ahead with a coordinated approach for funding and a strategic long-term plan for the infrastructure improvements. This strategic, long-term vision will help accommodate our newest neighbors while also protecting the quality of life for those who already call the vibrant Bethesda community home.
Successfully addressing BRAC and the changes around the medical center requires government coordination across all levels, but we cannot succeed without the support and interest of the residential community surrounding the center. That is why Mr. Leggett, Mr. Van Hollen and I met with local community leaders recently: to ensure that the community has an opportunity to review the plans and provide their input into the process that will shape what their neighborhood will look like in the years to come.
Because we share an understanding that we can accomplish a great deal more when all stakeholders are working toward common goals and because we share a commitment to success, I am confident that when we complete this transition process, Montgomery County residents, Marylanders and Americans will all take pride in the expanded national service the Bethesda community will provide for those men and women who bravely wear our nation's uniform.
Anthony Brown, Bowie
The writer, a Democrat, is Maryland's lieutenant governor and chairman of the governor's Subcabinet on Base Realignment and Closure.