About BRAC


What is BRAC? - top
BRAC stands for the Base Realignment and Closure Act that was approved by Congress in November 2005 and signed into law by the President.  BRAC directs the closure of some bases and the realignment of military resources throughout the country.  The BRAC law requires that all these changes be completed by September 2011.


How will BRAC impact Montgomery County? - top
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington D.C. will close and move most of its functions to the campus of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda.  The new center will be renamed the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and will add about 2,500 employees.  Outpatient visits, mostly by car, could double to nearly one million annually.  More info about National Naval Medical Center


What is being done to address increased traffic in Bethesda caused by BRAC? - top
Montgomery County and State of Maryland officials, together with community leaders and the U.S. Navy, are working to address the anticipated traffic impacts of BRAC through projects that will improve key intersections and provide better pedestrian and bicycle access, including safer pedestrian crossings at the Medical Center Metro station. 
More info.


How can I comment on construction at the National Military Medical Center campus? - top
Express concerns about day-to-day issues related to construction on the U.S. Navy campus, such as safety and noise, by calling their Construction Hotline at 301-319-BRAC (2722).  


How will BRAC affect the Washington D.C. region? - top
12-16-07 Washington Post:  A Costly Shuffle


How will BRAC affect Maryland? - top
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. will close and move most of its functions to the campus of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda.  The new center will add about 2,500 employees.  Outpatient visits, mostly by car, could double to nearly one million annually. 

Fort Meade is expected to gain about 5,800 jobs with the relocation of the Defense Information Systems Agency from Northern Virginia.  This growth is in addition to activities already underway at Fort Meade associated with the move of the National Security Agency.  Most impacted counties include Anne Arundel, Howard, Prince George’s, Montgomery, Baltimore and Baltimore City. 

The Aberdeen Proving Ground will gain a net of just over 8,000 jobs.  A large percentage of the new positions at the Aberdeen Proving Ground are coming from federal and contractor organizations in New Jersey.  Counties most impacted are Harford, Cecil, Baltimore and Baltimore City. 

Andrews Air Force Base will increase by around 600 jobs, with the potential for more as the Air Force resolves BRAC and potential non-BRAC related moves.

Fort Detrick is gaining around 200 BRAC jobs, as well as many others associated with federal agencies located aboard the base.

More BRAC information.


What will happen to the Walter Reed campus in northwest Washington D.C.?  - top
The larger portion of the campus will be redeveloped by the District of Columbia.  A smaller portion will be redeveloped by the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Missions Center.  Historic buildings will be preserved.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA), District of Columbia Government, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development

Walter Reed Army Medical Center Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA):  District of Columbia Gpvernment, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development  (previous site)

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) site for the long-term development of a Foreign Missions Center (FMC) on the northwest portion of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC)



6-14-18 Washington Post:  The Parks at Walter Reed -- Massive redevelopment coming to former Walter Reed Army Medical Center site in Northwest

2-15-17 Washington Business Journal:  State Department's vision for Walter Reed west parcel coming into focus

11-5-13 Washington Post:  Capital Business -- Team led by Hines Interests named master developer of 67-acre Walter Reed campus

10-15-12 Washington Post:  Capital Business -- At Walter Reed site, officials push for a town center

5-4-11 Frederick News-Post:  Fort Detrick to oversee Walter Reed closure


What will happen to the campus on Sangamore Road in Bethesda that was vacated by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency?  - top
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has relocated to Fort Belvoir, Virginia.  The Office of the Director of National Intelligence will reuse the former NGA site as the Intelligence Community Campus-Bethesda (ICCB). 

ICCB Project Overview (as of 2-12-13)

1-10-11 Bethesda Patch:  National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Begins Transition Out of Bethesda This Month -- Local retailers don't see large impact on business; Office of the Director of National Intelligence studying use of site

9-28-11 Bethesda Patch:  Sangamore Federal Facility Will Shift To Intelligence Community Campus -- Upgrades on the former National-Geospatial Intelligence Agency site expected to begin next year
 

2-3-12 Gazette.Net:  Panel OKs 3,000-worker intelligence campus in Bethesda -- Project to replace federal geospatial agency

Octopber 2012:  National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) Approval Action

2-8-13 Bethesda Now:  Officials Show Off New Bethesda Intelligence Base Designs

3-7-13 Intelligence Community Campus-Bethesda (ICCB) Project Presentation to National Capital Planning Commission  (26 pp)

6-21-13 Gazette.Net:  Construction of intelligence campus in Bethesda underway -- New, greener buildings and walking paths

3-12-15  ICC-B Presentation to Montgomery County Planning Board on Pedestrian Walkway and Bridge, and the Prelimiinary Submission of the ICC-B Site Development Plan

10-8-15 Government Executive:  Intel Community Opens Campus in Suburban Maryland -- Some 3,000 employees of the 17-agency intelligence community have begun switching their commute to report to a “state-of-the-art” campus that opened on Wednesday in Bethesda, Md

10-15-15  ICCB Community Presentation

10-15-15  Comments from Community Traffic Committee

10-15-15  Comments from Community Stormwater Committee
 

11-27-17 Fast Company CO.DESIGN:  The Architecture Of 21st-Century Intelligence -- The modern intelligence agency hides in plain sight.


What is happening at the Forest Glen Annex in Silver Spring?  - top
The Forest Glen Annex will gain jobs, as it is now affiliated with Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland.  The Annex will become a military Center of Excellence for Infectious Disease Research. The National Museum of Health and Medicine, which was located at the Walter Reed campus, has relocated to Forest Glen.

2-17-17 U.S. Army Environmental Command:  DRAFT Final  Remedial Investigation Report, Forest Glen Annex 05   (15 pp summary)

2-7-17 U.S. Army Environmental Command:  DRAFT Final  Remedial Investigation Report, Forest Glen Annex 02, 03, & 04.   (26 pp summary)

12-11-15 Fort Detrick Standard:  Restoration Efforts at Forest Glen Lead Discussion -- For more information on this topic, Fort Detrick will hold the next Forest Glen Annex Restoration Advisory Board Meeting Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Armed Forces Pest Management Board conference room, Building 172.

8-31-15 Washington Post Legal Notices:  NOTICE OF PUBLIC AVAILABILITY AND INFORMATION SESSION -- Action Memorandum for a Non-Time Critical Removal Action at the Ball Field Landfill/ Helipad / Rubble Dump Site, located at Forest Glen Annex (FGA) of Fort Detrick, Silver Spring, Maryland

8-10-15 Fort Detrick News Release:  Fort Detrick leadership has announced the decision to fence off the a portion of the Ireland Creek Trail located at Forest Glen Annex in Silver Spring to protect the public as the Army continues its environmental restoration efforts of the area

4-28-15 Gazette.Net:  Army research building in Silver Spring targeted for renovations -- Project to include modernizing animal research facility

9-5-14 Montgomery County BRAC Coordinator Comments on USACE plan for toxic waste mitigation at Forest GlenAnnex .Ireland Trail

8-1-14 Fort Detrick Press Release:  Public Comment Period Extended to September 11, 2014, for Forest Glen Ireland Trail

7-24-14 Gazette.Net:  Army floats compromise on medical waste area -- Some Silver Spring residents want warning signs, without fence

6-27-14 Fort Detrick Standard:  Public Comment Period and July 23 Information Session Regarding Toxic Waste at Forest Glen Annex
        6-27-14 USACE Public Notice of Report and July 23 Public Information Session
        6-27-14 USACE Report on Toxic Waste near Ireland Trail at Forest Glen Annex (NOTE: 112 pp)

7-16-14 County BRAC Coordinator's Letter on Ireland Trail Comment Process
 

9-26-13 Forest Glen Annex, U.S. Army Fort Detrick:  Draft Final Engineering Evaluation / Cost Analysis (EE/CA) For Non-time Critical Removal Action Control of Exposure to Near-Surface Waste  (103 pp)

7-12-13 Fort Detrick Standard:  Forest Glen Annex Temporarily Closing Gate -- Beginning July 15, Forest Glen Annex will close Linden Gate to vehicles and pedestrians due to furlough staffing reductions. All vehicles and pedestrians must use Brookville Gate for all entries and exits, 24/7.  With this change, the Montgomery County Ride-on Bus Number 4 will no longer enter the installation, and riders should use the Linden & Warren Street bus stop, and walk down to Brookville Rd. for installation access.  Northbound riders are advised to use the Number 2 Northbound to access the post interior, which will eliminate the long walk to the post.

6-26-13 Washington Post:  Access to Silver Spring’s Forest Glen during toxic-chemical cleanup worries neighbors

5-17-13 Fort Detrick Standard:  Fort Detrick and Forest Glen Annex Restoration Advisory Board Updates

5-3-13 Gazette.Net:  Army finds contaminants, not source, at Forest Glen Annex -- Study identifies high levels of chloroform, arsenic

3-27-13 Gazette.Net:  Gate changes at Forest Glen Annex

2-11-13 Gazette.Net:  Army finds contaminants near Forest Glen Annex -- Arsenic, radon found in soil

1-11-13 Fort Detrick Standard:  Forest Glen on Social Media -- Fort Detrick Forest Glen Annex has two new ways of communicating with the workforce on social media, keeping the community informed about weather related delays or closings, community information and easier communication from leadership

12-10-12 Gazette.Net:  Petroleum spill site poses little risk, contractor says -- Underground contaminants at Forest Glen Annex assessed

10-19-12 Gazette.Net:  Testing to begin Monday at Forest Glen Annex contaminated site -- Carcinogens suspected at the Silver Spring location


5-4-11 Frederick News-Post:  Detrick celebrates new partnership with National Museum of Health and Medicine

August 2008: Final Environmental Assessment, Base Realignment and Closure Recommendations and Master Planning Activities, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Forest Glen Annex, Maryland  (170 pp)

 

 
Why isn't there a Beltway exit to the Military Medical Center campus?  - top

While the State Highway Administration has not conducted a formal study, SHA has determined that a Beltway ramp is not feasible.for numerous reasons.  These include hazardous traffic operations due to the close proximity of existing Beltway interchanges east and west of the Medical Center on the "roller coaster" stretch of the Beltway, potential environmental impacts on Rock Creek Park and surrouding neighborhoods, relatively limited traffic relief on other roads while adding more traffic to the ciongested Beltway, excessive construction costs, and sacurity issues for the Navy

9-22-09 MD State Highway Administration (SHA) Discussion Paper: Bethesda National Naval Medical Center Beltway Access