Norton Wants GSA and DHS to Address Concerns Regarding Parking and Traffic on Nebraska Ave

Norton Wants GSA and DHS to Address Resident Concerns Regarding Parking and Traffic at DHS Construction Near Nebraska Avenue

September 10, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a letter today from Norton to U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Martha Johnson asking GSA to meet with her Ward 3 constituents about traffic congestion surrounding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) complex on Nebraska Avenue NW. In her letter, Norton raises questions about constituent issues raised at a meeting with Norton about parking and traffic flow patterns when entering and exiting the DHS complex, which allegedly creates gridlock and makes it difficult for residents to travel to and from their homes and for others traveling through the area. Residents also expressed concerns about the increased congestion along neighborhood roads since DHS has stopped private contractors from parking on site, resulting in diminished available street parking for residents.

"These concerns about dislocation and inconvenience around a federal construction site require a meeting between the agencies and the neighbors," Norton said. "I will await a response to my letter, but I think that a meeting with the community would be even more helpful. In other communities, where GSA has done construction, I have found the agency to be responsive, even proactive. We expect no less in this Ward 3 community."

In her letter, Norton offered to assist GSA in arranging a meeting with the neighbors and asked the agency to quickly respond to a series of questions regarding the DHS site, including, "Why are contractors restricted from parking on the existing site?" and "How does GSA plan to mitigate the impact on the surrounding community?"

Norton's full letter follows.

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Martha N. Johnson

Administrator

U.S. General Service Administration

1800 F Street NW

Washington, DC 20405-0001

Dear Administrator Johnson,

Constituents have brought the following concerns to my attention regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) complex in upper northwest D.C. I hope that you will be able to help me resolve them.

First, constituents have expressed concern that, although there are two entrances into the DHS complex on Nebraska Ave, most workers there are required to use the entrance on Massachusetts Ave., which is open day and night. This contributes to traffic gridlock just south of Ward Circle and makes it difficult for residents living near the Massachusetts Ave. entrance to come and go. Constituents also assert that, although the Massachusetts Ave. entrance is marked NO LEFT TURN during rush hours, workers there often make illegal left turns, which backs traffic up into Ward Circle.

Second, constituents have expressed concern that construction workers have not been allowed to park on the DHS site for well over a year now, thereby contributing to already congested roads as they drive around looking for parking. Constituents say that these private contractors also take most of the street parking available on Massachusetts and Nebraska Avenues near the complex. Constituents assert that this issue is so severe that Westover Place, the community across the street from the Massachusetts Ave. entrance, was forced to hire a daytime guard to keep contractors out of their community's parking spaces, which are on private property.

I ask that the following questions regarding the DHS site be answered: Will the number of workers on this site increase? If so, by how much? Will underground parking be a part of the expansion plan or will existing parking remain? Why are construction workers not allowed to park on the existing site? Will construction workers be allowed to park on the site as part of the planned expansion? Will other parking entrances be opened or created to help ease traffic congestion on Massachusetts Ave.? During construction of the new facilities, how does the General Services Administration (GSA) plan to mitigate the impact on the surrounding community, including traffic flow in an already congested area, noise, and parking for construction workers?

I ask that the GSA or DHS host a neighborhood meeting to discuss their plans and neighbors' concerns? My office would be pleased to work with you concerning the planning of a meeting.

Thank you for your attention to these matters. I look forward to an early response.

Sincerely,