Moran Language Capping Mark Center Parking Passes House

Press Release

Language capping the amount of available parking at the Washington Headquarters Service (WHS) facility currently being constructed at the Mark Center in Alexandria (map) was included in the FY '11 Defense Authorization bill which passed the House this afternoon. VDOT has projected that even with the Army's current transportation management plan, which seeks to reduce the number of employees who drive to work by 40 percent, I-395 and local roadways and intersections will experience failing levels of service during morning and evening rush hour.

"The WHS facility was originally slated to be located on Ft. Belvoir proper," said Moran. "Because of traffic concerns, the Army bent BRAC law creating a so-called "Ft. Belvoir North" over ten miles away from the base." Ft. Belvoir North only consists of the new WHS facility -- two office towers, two parking garages and a remote inspection facility.

"It's unfathomable how the Army could fail to produce a workable transportation plan when their own decision to locate outside of Ft. Belvoir was driven due to traffic concerns resulting from the consolidation of WHS' 6,400 employees. It shows clear disrespect for commuters and residents in Northern Virginia and an imperial attitude that "we can do what we want, when we want, regardless of the community's needs'."

The Moran language limits the number of cars commuting to and from the Mark Center by restricting the number of parking spaces that would be available for DoD use -- as well as banning the lease of additional spaces in the immediate vicinity.

The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) plan requires that 6,400 defense personnel currently working in Metro-accessible leased office space in Northern Virginia must move to the new Mark Center facility by September 2011.

VDOT has stated there will be "complete gridlock' on Seminary Road and Beauregard Street and "severe' congestion between the King Street and Duke Street exits on I-395.

Under the language, the DoD must first receive congressional approval for a detailed traffic management plan that would prevent service levels at six key intersections near the facility from being negatively affected. Next, the DoD would be required to complete construction of the transportation improvements such as access roads and ramps before the parking cap is lifted.

The six intersections in question include:
(1) The intersection of Beauregard Street and Mark Center Drive.
(2) The intersection of Beauregard Street and Seminary Road.
(3) The intersection of Seminary Road and Mark Center Drive.
(4) The intersection of Seminary Road and the northbound entrance-ramp to I-395.
(5) The intersection of Seminary Road and the northbound exit-ramp from I-395.
(6) The intersection of Seminary Road and the southbound exit-ramp from I-395.

"The Pentagon gave short shrift to transportation planning at the Mark Center. The site never should have been chosen because we had other options with Metro access." said Moran. "We're going to push every button and pull every lever to mitigate the consequences of the Defense Department's mistakes."

Moran and local officials in Alexandria and Fairfax County have called on the military to construct a direct access ramp to the Mark Center from I-395 to help alleviate some of the congestion.

The Senate is in the process of passing their version of the FY'11 Defense Authorization bill. The House and Senate bills will be conferenced later this summer.

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