Happy New Year from CPRO!   

“Columbia Pike Revitalization Turns Corner” reads the headline from the County’s Top 10 Accomplishments list, as substantial progress on South Arlington’s main street earned the Pike much praise in the County’s 2006 Year-End Report.  Contributing to the high ranking were County Board approval of the mixed use developments at Penrose Square and the former Safeway site, the groundbreaking at the Halstead at Arlington, completion of the Alcova Row Townhouses, and the County Board’s endorsement of a 5-mile streetcar line that will run down Columbia Pike connecting Skyline to Pentagon City.

For the full press release go to:

http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/Communications/8539.aspx

Commercial Property Values Surge; Residential Values Moderate

 Commercial real estate assessments released yesterday by Arlington County show an average 13.7% increase over the prior year, while residential property assessments are down 0.8% on average. The commercial sector includes apartment buildings and rental housing units which showed particularly strong growth. Single family detached homes posted a 1.8% increase on average, while assessments of condominium units fell by nearly 5%. Arlington County enjoys a relative balance in its commercial vs. residential property tax base, with owners of commercial property now paying 42% of real estate taxes in the County. The new assessments will be mailed to property owners on Friday, January 19 or can be retrieved online now by using the following link:

http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/RealEstate/reassessments/scripts/DREADefault.asp?lnsLinkID=1116

Design Work for New Washington Blvd. Bridge Continues

Plans for a new bridge and Columbia Pike/ Washington Blvd. interchange took a step forward last week as VDOT engineers confirmed the feasibility of the latest configuration which will keep S.Queen St. open as a signalized intersection without turning restrictions. Recent efforts include analysis of pedestrian/bicycle access, traffic, and safety. Outstanding issues include decorative design details and finalizing a name for the bridge. Current plans include use of medallions and other elements that reflect the history of nearby Freedman’s Village. The next meeting of the Bridge Working Group will be held at 7:30 pm on January 30 at the Carver Center located at 1415 S. Queen St., Arlington. Use the following link to view site photos and various design options: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/27_244_Presentation%2009-18-06_Final.pdf

 For more information contact William Roberts, Arlington County DOT, (703) 228-3824 or wroberts@arlingtonva.us.

 
Demolition to Clear Way for Columbia Village Development

Developer Fairfield Residential has received the green light from Arlington County to proceed with the demolition of the existing buildings at 5440 Columbia Pike at S. Greenbrier St. in preparation for development of their new 10 story mixed-use building. The site, which is just west of the Carlyle condominium building at the Pike’s Western Gateway, had recently caused concern on the part of neighbors due to vandalism of the dilapidated structures.

 
APS Multi-Site Study Considers Scenarios Affecting Career Center Site

A citizen’s committee has been engaged to help consider whether to move programs currently in leased space to APS-owned property, and to make recommendations to the School Board regarding how to obtain value from existing real estate assets including the Career Center on S. Walter Reed Dr. and the Wilson School on the western edge of Rosslyn. Additional public input is being sought via a special meeting at 7:00 p.m. on January 29 at the Education Center on N. Quincy St. For more information about the work of the Multi-Site Study Committee go to: http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/facilities/planning/mss.shtml

Pike Progress Luncheon Attracts Capacity Crowd

More than 60 real estate and civic leaders gathered at the Sheraton National Hotel on December 12 to review the remarkable progress that is being made on Columbia Pike, to consider emerging opportunities for smart growth, and to hear a presentation on plans for a streetcar system. Speakers included County Board member Chris Zimmerman, Director of Arlington Economic Development Terry Holzheimer, and Robin McElhenny of WMATA. The event was sponsored by the law firm of Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley, Emrich, and Terpak, and the Sheraton National Hotel. For more information about the streetcar initiative go to: www.piketransit.com

Bob & Edith’s Gains Comic Strip Fame

Imagine the startled looks on the faces of the breakfast crowd at Bob & Edith’s when the diners discovered their favorite haunt depicted in the cartoon pages of the Washington Post! On December 27 cartoonist Bill Griffith, who pens the popular syndicated strip, Zippy, pictured our hero and his friend Griffy at Bob & Edith’s chatting about the decline of print journalism. Thanks go to our neighbor Reid Goldstein for spotting the cartoon and forwarding it here for the pleasure of CPRO’s e-News readers. See the strip at: http://zippythepinhead.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/2006/images/122706.gif

 
Paintings by Local Artist Displayed at CPRO

Three original acrylic paintings by Columbia Heights artist Matthew E. Taylor currently adorn the walls of the CPRO offices at 2611 Columbia Pike. The originals as well as canvas reproductions are available for sale. Stop by the office to take a look, or go to www.ConfluenceArt.com to see more of the artist’s work.