[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1624-E1625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF OAK PARK MEDICAL CENTER PROPERTY ACQUISITION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 26, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing a bill today 
that will resolve a conflict between the Department of Commerce and a 
property owner along the perimeter of the Department of Commerce campus 
in Boulder, Colorado.
  In 2004, the Department of Commerce determined that a security fence 
needed to be constructed around the Boulder campus that houses labs for 
both the National Institute for Standards and Technology, NIST, and the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA. In preparation 
for the fence the current access road would need to be rerouted. This 
road is also the only access to the Oak Park Medical Center, that abuts 
the Department of Commerce property. NIST granted an easement to the 
medical center to allow access to the facility through the Boulder 
Campus. Current plans to open a new entrance to the campus will result 
in the closing of access to the medical center.
  Significant discussions have occurred between the Oak Park Medical 
Center property owner and the Department of Commerce, principally 
through NIST. However, no compromise has been reached to provide 
alternative access to the medical center. The Department of Commerce 
contacted the Oak Park Medical Center property owner identifying an 
alternative access road which is unacceptable to both the owner and the 
tenants of the building. The property owner has expressed interest in 
selling the property to the Department of Commerce.
  Unlike most government property, the Boulder Campus was purchased by 
the Department of Commerce, rather than the U.S. General Services 
Administration. As a result, my bill authorizes the Department of 
Commerce to purchase the land.
  I have contacted the Department of Commerce urging the agency to 
administratively buy the property, however feel this legislation is 
helpful if an administrative solution is not worked out. I believe this 
is an equitable compromise, as the property owner is willing to sell 
the land, and NIST would have access to utilize the building. At the 
same time, plans for construction of the security fence will not need 
to be altered to provide access to the medical center.
  I have included a letter from the property owner expressing his 
support for this bill as well as the purchase of his property by the 
Department of Commerce. I consider this a friendly condemnation and 
urge a speedy passage of the bill by the House of Representatives.


                                                  Boulder, CO,

                                                    July 19, 2005.
     Re Proposed Legislative Bill for the Purchase of 385 South 
         Broadway, Boulder, Colorado.

     Congressman Mark Udall,
     Mr. Doug Young,
     Turnpike Drive,
     Westminster, CO.
       Dear Congressman Udall and Mr. Young: I am in support of 
     the legislation that would authorize and direct the federal 
     government to purchase my property at 385 South Broadway, 
     Boulder, Colorado, referred to in the proposed Bill as the 
     ``Oak Park Medical Center.''
       Please understand that my preference would be to retain 
     ownership and for NIST to honor its existing easement 
     granting access to and from the Oak Park Medical Center. 
     However, if that agreement is to be unilaterally rescinded by 
     NIST, then I feel that this legislation to purchase my 
     property is the appropriate course of action. Thank you.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Bruce Tenenbaum.

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