USDANEWS VOLUME 56 NO. 7 - AUGUST 1997

Dear Mr. Secretary,
I'm concerned about a problem in the construction of the new USDA facility in Beltsville, Md. Currently it is planned to house about 1,500 employees, but only has a parking lot planned for 900 employees and visitors. This seems inadequate.

I understand people will be encouraged to use public transportation. But it appears USDA is asking up to 50 percent of the projected employees at the facility, NOT to drive to work. There is no public transportation within walking distance to it.

My concern is primarily based on the needs of federal employees in the facility. Such needs include being able to leave quickly to respond to situations with a child's health, with a problem at school, or with concerns about aging parents. Employees with these needs cannot easily utilize public transportation regularly.

If nothing is done to rectify this situation, people will be fighting to get to work "earlier" so they can get a parking space.

I believe that construction of a parking garage or underground parking would resolve the situation. Thank you for your consideration on this matter.

Lisa Taylor
Beltsville, Md.

Dear Lisa,
Thank you for your letter. The 900 parking spaces to be provided will accommodate 60 percent of the no more than 1,500 employees who will work at the new Beltsville office complex. This percentage of parking accommodation is consistent with Federal guidelines, which are intended to promote ride-sharing and the use of public transportation to improve air quality and relieve traffic gridlock in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

To make public transportation more convenient, a shuttle service will be operated between the Greenbelt, Md., Metrorail station and the Beltsville office facility. This service will complement the Metrobus and Connect-A-Ride services which already exist. Incentives will be provided to promote use of mass transit, car- and van-pooling, and other alternative means of travel. Ever increasing use of telecommuting and flexible work schedules, as ways of helping employees spend more time with their families, will also reduce the need for parking.

Your concern for employees who may need to leave work quickly in response to a family emergency is important to us as well. One thing that will help is the planned availability of a child care facility at the Beltsville office complex. An important consideration in the assignment of parking spaces is, and will continue to be, the personal and family needs of employees.

I assure you that the designers of the new office complex have considered very seriously the needs of all employees, as well as all applicable Federal and local government guidelines and requirements.

Dan Glickman
Secretary

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sec. Glickman invites employees to communicate with him either through regular mail (c/o Sec. Dan Glickman, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250) or electronically at agsec@usda.gov

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