A: 1. The goal is to place local Army National Guard personnel into one location near the Pentagon. This will improve coordination between the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard as well as the other Services, eliminate redundancy, enhance force protection, increase effectiveness, and reduce costs to the government. This is being done because Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) states that personnel at some government leased buildings in this area will need to be realigned - the Army Guard personnel will go to the Army National Guard Readiness Center (Arlington Hall), Arlington VA and the Air Guard will go to the Air National Guard Readiness Center (Conaway Hall), Andrews Air Force Base, MD.


Q: 2. How would the proposed construction affect the Arlington's community?

A: 2. The proposed relocation of personnel from JP-1 to Arlington Hall will cause an increase in traffic. There will be a traffic increase however, the traffic study indicates the varied times of arrivals and departures will significantly ease the impact of increase.


Q: 3. Why do an Environmental Assessment (EA)

A. 3. The National Environmental Protection Act requires several steps in the development of land for new construction. The Environmental Assessment is just one of several documents in a process that includes and promotes public participation. The EA is a step that studies impacts to the existing environment in areas such as noise, traffic, native plants, animals, insects, water and soil among the areas to be considered before a construction plan is approved.


Q: 4 What did the Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendation state?

A: 4. There were 2 objectives (1) to reduce the Department of Defense footprint in the Washington area and (2) to vacate office leases, which were established before BRAC in Oct 04.


Q: 5. How would the new facility be designed?

A: 5. The facility will be designed using Unified Facilities Criteria (Antiterrorism Standards Buildings). All new construction, major renovation, and leased building must comply with Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, (LEED) Silver standard.


Q: 6. How many people will the addition hold?

A: 6. Current plans are for the new addition will hold up to nine hundred people.


Q: 7. What potential community concerns are being considered?

A: 7. Potential community concerns are: slowing/stopping traffic, equipment storage, construction noise, dust, and security.


Q: 8. Where would construction equipment be stored during construction activities?

A: 8. The current plan is to store equipment on Army National Guard property during construction activities.


Q: 9 What involvement will the public have?

A: 9. The general public and immediate neighbors are critical stakeholders whose concerns and participation are actively sought. Please fill out a comment card tonight with your name and address so we may invite you to future meetings and keep you informed on the progress.


Q: 10: Any new traffic lights being added? Where?

A: 10. In the interest of safety, Arlington County recommended that a traffic light be placed on George Mason Drive, in front of the Army National Guard Readiness Center. Unfortunately, there have already been accidents in front of Arlington Hall. It was also recommended that current traffic lights be synchronized to assist traffic flow.

This page was revised on: April 23,2007.