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Aug 2007 E-Newsletter
August 2, 2007 CPRO e-Newsletter
Public Private Partnership Set for Arlington Mill Project
Arlington County has selected “Public Private Alliance,” a team lead by Clark Construction, to be their partner in the redevelopment of the Arlington Mill Community Center site at 4975 Columbia Pike. While many details of the development are yet to be worked out, preliminary plans call for a new community center and public plaza on Columbia Pike adjacent to Four Mile Run Park, ground level retail, a mix of affordable and market rate rental apartments, and parking. In addition to Clark Construction, the Alliance includes the architectural firm of Davis Carter Scott, and Edgemoor Real Estate Services. The Alliance will work with the existing Arlington Mill Steering Committee, surrounding community members, and County planners and commissions to develop a design for submission to the County Board in early 2008. This timeline would allow for groundbreaking by mid-2008 and completion by early 2010.
Giant Grocery to Remain Open Through the Holidays
Demolition of the Adams Square Shopping Center has been delayed, and the Giant Grocery store at 2515 Columbia Pike will now remain open into January, 2008. Meanwhile, architects continue work on the interior design of the new Penrose Square development at that site, and a task force continues their efforts to design the new public plaza that will be part of the project. To view renderings of the new Penrose Square mixed-use complex, use the following link: www.columbiapikepartnership.com/UPDATE/93207.html
Second Crane Erected at Halstead
The skyline over Town Center now includes a second towering crane at the large development site on the Pike at S. Walter Reed Drive. To see a photo and read about the status of this and other Columbia Pike developments, click here: www.columbiapike.org/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gpx::72080+L2/+E+101
New Taxes to Fund Area Transportation Projects
Financing prospects for Columbia Pike’s streetcar system recently became brighter as the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) approved a package of new taxes and fees that will bring in over $300 million annually for area transportation projects. While not included in the initial list of 22 “ready to go” regional projects that total $102 million, future funding for the Streetcar initiative will be seriously considered by regional transportation planners as they assess needs and rank prospective projects.
Authorized by the General Assembly in the Transportation Finance Act (HB3202) and signed by Governor Kaine earlier this year, transportation funds will be generated through new taxes on home sales, car repairs, hotels, rental cars and higher motor vehicle registration and inspection fees. The tax package will produce the first major infusion of new transportation revenues to the region in more than twenty years. The NVTA was created in 2002 to develop a regional transportation plan and coordinate Northern Virginia’s transportation resources for the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
Super Stops Coming to Columbia Pike
The Arlington County Board authorized $85,500 for three “Super Stops” to be constructed along Columbia Pike that will serve both MetroBus and ART bus passengers. Ultimately, there will be a total of 25 such stops on Columbia Pike. The three prototype Super Stops will be located at the northwest and southwest intersections of Columbia Pike and S. Dinwiddie Street, and the southeast corner of Columbia Pike and Walter Reed Drive. Each stop will average more than 600 passengers a day. Designed to improve the riding experience of mass transit users, the Super Stops will be significantly larger than typical bus stops and feature many more passenger amenities. For example, the heated structures will be able to accommodate up to 15 people, and will provide better lighting, more seating, and electronic displays of real time bus arrival and passenger information. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is responsible for the construction of the Super Stops.
Recreational Improvements Funded for Barcroft Park
Barcroft Park, located on S. Four Mile Run Drive and one of the County’s most heavily used parks, is slated to receive a major upgrade. On July 7, the Arlington County Board approved a $662,558 contract for a series of planned improvements that are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007. The existing playground will be replaced with a new state-of-the-art playground for preschool and school age children that meets both ADA and playground safety standards. A new basketball court will be added and two tennis courts will be reconstructed. The courts will feature dark-sky lighting and new ADA walkways. Other improvements include new picnic tables, game tables, fencing, new landscaping, and improvements to the synthetic covered community field. These upgrades are funded through the FY2005 Park Bond and represent the second phase of redevelopment of Barcroft Park. Park features currently include baseball fields and the synthetic community field, the Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center, and ample parking.
A New Yoga Studio is Coming to Columbia Pike
JOURNEYoga is the name of the new business at 2628 Columbia Pike, which had been home to the Birds N’ Things store for many years. The owner of the new studio, Sarah Lynn, took possession of the space on August 1 and expects to be open by the end of September. For more information go to www.journeyoga.net
Existing Businesses Expanding
The Bangkok 54 restaurant at 2919 Columbia Pike is nearly doubling its space and adding about 90 seats by incorporating the former Chinese restaurant next door. Renovation of the space is nearly complete and is expected to be open in September.
Nearby on S. Edgewood St. the long vacant Kayak Station space has a new tenant, High Sierra Pools. Carlos Cordon of High Sierra said the company has rented a building across the parking lot for several years, and decided to take over the former Kayak Station due to dramatic growth in their business. High Sierra employs 500 lifeguards, almost 2/3 of which are here on H-1 visas from foreign countries, who staff the pools of hotels and apartment complexes throughout the DC area.
In other news, “Pike Pizza” at 4111 Columbia Pike, known better for its Bolivian fare, has been approved by the County to offer live entertainment. They plan to present performers of latin/international music and to offer karaoke on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. For more information call 703-251-3010.
Small Business Networking Event to be Held on Sept. 20
CPRO and Arlington Economic Development (AED) are redoubling efforts to build a business network for Columbia Pike. The first in a series of new events will be held at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 20 at the Walter Reed Community Center. These events will enable local business people to learn about changes coming to the Pike and opportunities that exist here; learn about services that are available to start-ups, existing small businesses, and expanding companies; and network with others who can help them grow their businesses. Please contact CPRO via email at jwhittaker@columbiapike.org to be added to our list of people to invite, or to volunteer to help us with this initiative.
Barcroft Resident Joins CPRO Staff
CPRO has hired Pamela Holcomb as its new Managing Director, replacing David Johnson. After a long and successful career at the Urban Institute in Washington DC, Pam says she is delighted to be working on the local level and in her own community. A 17-year resident of Columbia Pike, she and her family lived in Alcova Heights for a number of years, and currently reside in the Barcroft neighborhood. Pam can be reached at pholcomb@columbiapike.org or 703-892-2776. Dave is a real estate agent with Weichert Realtors and is also involved with Computers for Students, a non-profit organization located on S. George Mason Drive. He can be reached at daveyourrealtor@aol.com. Please join CPRO in wishing Dave well, and in welcoming Pam to the team.
1st Annual International Food Festival Set for October 21
Columbia Pike is home to one of the most ethnically diverse communities in America, and boasts many excellent restaurants featuring the cuisines of countries around the world. So, wouldn’t an annual Columbia Pike International Food Festival be a perfect way to highlight what is so deliciously unique about the Pike, and a way to bring together people from the Pike’s many neighborhoods? That’s what we thought! The inaugural event will be held on Sunday, October 21 from noon-7:00pm in front of the Arlington Mill Community Center. Sponsorships are available, as are food and non-food booths. Please contact CPRO (pholcomb@columbiapike.org or 703-892-2776) to get involved. Thank you!
Columbia Pike Farmers Market Going Strong
The Farmers Market provides a much welcome respite from the dog days of August with a wide range of fruits, vegetables, special coffee, breads and other baked goods, and live music. The time is now for the best locally grown peaches and tomatoes, with plenty of other summertime favorites to choose from. The market operates from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. every Sunday through November 25, at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive.
Signature Theatre Offers Free Open House Weekend
Coming right on the heels of “The Witches of Eastwick” box office record breaker, the Signature Theatre is inviting one and all to enjoy a series of free events at its second annual Open House Weekend. Scheduled for Saturday, August 4, the day long event features performances, master classes, and backstage tours—including CPRO’s very own Amy McWilliams performing with the Little River Turnpike singing group. A Special Concert on the Plaza will provide music from the upcoming season and favorite Broadway tunes. For a complete listing of events and information on driving and free parking directions, contact www.signature-theatre.org/openhouse.htm
Contact Us
As always, the CPRO staff welcomes your input. Email your suggestions, questions, comments, and offers of assistance to jwhittaker@columbiapike.org or call 703-892-2776.
Know someone who would like to receive the CPRO e-Newsletter? Please send us email addresses and we will add them to our distribution list.
As always, for more information about what’s happening on the Pike go to www.columbiapike.org
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