Carbon Thompson reports that their Penrose Square project (on Columbia Pike at S. Adams St.) is now fully funded. The deal with Wachovia and RBS, which was wrapped up on February 12, means that the existing Giant grocery store and pharmacy will soon be given 45 days notice, and their closure will make way for demolition and excavation of the site. The 7-story development will include a large new Giant store, 30,000 sq. ft. of other retail, 299 apartments, more than 700 parking spaces, and a new public square. The project had been held up pending resolution of a financing package. This is a significant accomplishment in today’s difficult lending environment where fewer loans are being made, and terms are generally less attractive. Financing difficulties have delayed groundbreaking for the Arlington Mill Community Center redevelopment (on the Pike at S. Dinwiddie St.), and also explains why it has not yet been possible to close a deal to redevelop the Bob & Edith’s 2 site (on the Pike at S. Buchanan St.). CPRO will report any additional progress in future e-newletters and on the website, www.columbiapike.org.

 

Development plans making their way through the County approval process could result in construction of the first new townhouses in the Pike’s revitalization district. On the lot behind the Rite Aid pharmacy on the Pike at S. Walter Reed Dr., local developer John Gosnell plans to build “Columbia Place,” with 8 three and one half story townhouses- 5 facing S. Edgewood St. and 3 on a new segment of 11^th St. S. In addition, his project would include a 5 story mixed-use building on S. Walter Reed Dr. with 2 ground floor retail spaces and 14 residential units on the upper floors. These plans went to the County in December and are awaiting staff comment.  Just west of there at S. Highland and 12 St. S., the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) is planning “Axumite Village.” This project would include 3 flats in each of 12 townhouses for a total of 36 residential units. Both developments are being planned pursuant to the Columbia Pike Form Based Code, and both hope to be able to break ground this year.

Each morning this month has found work crews busy building forms and pouring concrete for new sidewalks and tree boxes along a 5 block stretch of Columbia Pike from S. Garfield St. to S. Oakland St. This work is part of an Arlington County streetscape improvement project that included the installation of underground ducts for utility lines. Local residents are anxiously awaiting the removal of the old telephone poles that are still visible in this photo, along with the addition of new decorative light poles and new landscaping. For more information on the Columbia Pike streetscape project visit www.arlingtonva.us/des.

 

 

On February 11 Wakefield became the first public high school visited by new U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. During his visit he praised the stimulus legislation being considered by Congress, particularly the education funding which would be used for school construction, Pell grants, tuition tax credits, and more. Duncan also visited with Advanced Placement (AP) students and faculty and applauded Wakefield’s academic achievements and rigorous curriculum. Several weeks ago Virginia Governor Tim Kaine visited the Arlington Career Center and its new “Governor’s Career and Technical Academy” that is funded by a grant from the National Governor’s Association.  Kaine spoke about the need of the U.S. to re-embrace technical education, and complimented the Career Center on its efforts. In other news, Pike area students swept 4 of the 6 first place awards in Arlington Public Schools’ 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest. More than 600 students wrote essays about their dreams for making the world a better place. Congratualtions to winners Casey Wilson (grade 4 at Patrick Henry Elementary), Nicholas Franco (Grade 7 at Kenmore Middle School), Brittany Peters (Junior at Wakefield High School), and Timothy Spicer (Junior at Wakefield High School)!

 

 

<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->Global Dining on the Pike   by Zuraidah Hoffman

Abi’s Restaurant

3005 Columbia Pike

703-979-3579

 

“It’s like you’ve been let in on a good secret,” said longtime Arlington resident Ken Koontz, when asked how he would describe Abi’s to a newcomer. He adds, “Abi’s is a very welcoming, family friendly place with authentic Salvadorian food.” “I always bring out-of-town visitors to Abi’s, because it represents the Columbia Pike and South Arlington flavor,” said Steve Schaible, another Arlington resident and Abi’s fan.

 

If you’re longtime patrons like Ken and Steve, you would probably call out “hello” to Sandra (co-owner) and know the servers by name. Chances are you won’t really have to look through the menu because you know what you want to eat. You may also see a few neighbors. If this is your first time, you’ll notice colorful, interesting hats lining the wall, each labeled with its country of origin. The dining room is simple yet inviting, the walls are covered in murals, and music is always playing. The bar is well stocked, and a wide-screen TV is almost always on with soccer games that keep bar patrons happy…    Click here to access the remainder of this article.

 

If you need assistance with preparing your taxes and earn less than $22,000 or have a family income less than $42,000 a year, there a number of resources along the Pike that can help you. The Ethiopian Community Development Council’s Enterprise Development Group (www.entdevgroup.org) is providing free income tax preparation on a first-come, first served basis every Friday evening (6:00 PM - 8:30 PM) until April 11th at their headquarters on 901 S. Highland Street #341 (right off Columbia Pike) and on Saturdays from 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Contact:   Roman Corpus, roman@entdevgroup.org. Free tax preparation is also available at the Columbia Pike Library (816 S. Walter Reed Dr.) on Tuesdays from 1:15 PM – 7:45 PM and Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 AM -2 PM by AARP (www.aarp.org/taxaide).

 

Happy Anniversary to Mancini de Paris Salon and Day Spa!   To celebrate their 10^th year on the Pike, Mancini de Paris is offering a fantastic anniversary special on all beauty treatments. Check it out--3045 Columbia Pike, 703-920-4600, www.mancinideparis.org

In other business news, the owner of Le Touche Beauty Salon (2615 Columbia Pike, 703-920-5666, www.letouchebeautysalon.com) has opened the Arlington Education Center/Beauty Academy on the lower level of the salon. Hair cuts under $10 are available by the cosmetology students under the supervision of professional stylists. For more information, please call Vicky at 703-521-8888.

 

Sushi for Valentines Day! Long-time Pike favorite Matuba (2915 Columbia Pike, 703-521-2811, www.matuba-sushi.com) is offering a special $21 dinner special through February 14 that includes lots of yummy Japanese fare including sushi and tempura. 

 

Available Office and Meeting Room Space - Small office spaces starting from 100 SF to 200 SF are currently available at below market rate through ECDC’s EDG Business Incubator.   Located at 901 S. Highland St. (just off Columbia Pike), the leases are flexible and rent includes utilities. ECDC EDG is also offering fully- equipped professional meeting rooms starting at $40 an hour. For more information, contact Chona Bravante at 703-685-0151.

 

Arlington Prepares Retailers for BRAC Impact – A widespread effort by the County’s BRAC Transition Center is currently underway to help Arlington businesses prepare for the upcoming challenges and opportunities resulting from 2005 Base Realignment and closure (BRAC) actions. The Center is distributing copies of a colorful new business services brochure to merchants throughout the County. The brochure defines BRAC, explains how BRAC affects Arlington businesses, outlines available business resources and encourages business owners to reach out to the Transition Center for support. Businesses seeking more information or a copy of the brochure should contact Adam Beebe, Business Development Manager at the BRAC Transition Center at abeebe@arlingtonva.us, call 703-418-1134 or visit www.bracarlingtonva.us. 

 

CPRO staff are busy planning a number of events for the upcoming months, Please mark your calendar for these important events.

March 18^th,    8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Columbia Pike Business Networking Event! The next breakfast gathering of the Columbia Pike Business Opportunity Network will occur at the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse. The special guest speaker will be Barbara Favola, Arlington County Board Chairman, who will speak about her vision and priorities for the County and the Pike. These events, co-presented by CPRO and AED’s BizLaunch, offer entrepreneurs an opportunity to meet other local business people, promote their own businesses and develop new contacts. Courtesy of our sponsors, Art Lander, CPA and Attorney at Law (www.arthurlander.com) and the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse (www.arlingtondrafthouse.com), admission is FREE, but you must register. For more information and to register Click HERE, or contact Pam Holcomb at (703) 892-2776.

<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->April 11^th 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.: 3rd Annual Arlington Home Show & Expo! CPRO is again partnering with Arlington County’s Housing Division to bring local residents a one-stop shopping opportunity for all their home improvement needs. Whether you are looking to put an addition on your home, remodel a kitchen or bath, install energy efficient replacement windows, or to pursue dozens of other projects, exhibitors will be on hand to answer your questions and show you their products. Plan to attend this wonderful, local home show on Saturday, April 11, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Walter Reed Community Center. Admission is FREE.    Booth space is available for home improvement professionals interested in exhibiting, and sponsorship opportunities are also still available. For more information go to www.arlingtonhomeshow.org or call CPRO at 703-892-2776 .  

<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->May 17^th noon – 5:00 p.m.: Taste of Arlington 2009! CPRO is pleased to announce that we will be partnering with the Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership, the host and lead organizer of this highly anticipated event, along with the Clarendon Alliance, Rosslyn Renaissance, and the National Science Foundation to produce the 2009 Taste of Arlington. For more information, go to www.tasteofarlington.com. Restaurants interested in participating in the 2009 Taste of Arlington should visit the Web site or call CPRO at 703-892-2776 and request a restaurant packet.  Sponsorship packages, offering media and event publicity, tickets and other benefits, are also available. 

June 13^th noon – 7:00: 14^th Annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival!   Every year the street comes alive with great blues, delicious foods and beverages, and lots of colorful street vendors—you won’t want to miss it!

 

Theater and Art Offerings Abound!      Signature Theatre just received 39 Helen Hayes nominations, and a whopping 13 were for its new staging of Les Miserables! There is still time to catch the Signature’s exciting and ambitious production of Les Mis which continues through February 22. For more information, go to www.sig-online.org.    In other theater offerings, the final two performances of the Arlington Players production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” are on February 13^th and 14^th at 8 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Community Theater, 125 S. Old Glebe Road. For tickets and information, go to www.thearlingtonplayers.org.    If being part of the performance is more your style, Arlington United Methodist Church’s Faith Renaissance Studio is offering “Creating from the Heart” with Alcova Heights artist and activist Ken Krafchek. Join Ken for this two-session class on February 21 from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and February 28 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 pm as he leads participants through an ink drawing process that involves creating designs and enlarging them to banner size. For more information visit www.faithrenaissance.org, phone (703-979-7527 or email arts@arlingtonumc.com.  

 

Last month AHC, Inc. opened The Shelton, a new 94-unit affordable apartment community one mile south of the Pike in the Nauck neighborhood. Demand has been strong and 53 of the apartments are already rented. For information about floor plans, amenities, and income eligibility levels call 703-684-0866. In addition, The Shelton has 1500 sq. ft. of retail space on the ground floor. Contact Joe Weatherly at 703-486-0626 x115 for information about the retail space.

 

Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE) and Arlington Remove Invasive Plants (RiP) are organizing an effort to remove exotic plant species in Glencarlyn Park. The event will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlyn Springs Rd.  To participate contact ACE at volunteer@arlingtonenvironment.org, or call 703-228-6406.

CPRO’s annual membership drive is now underway. Each year CPRO receives a grant from Arlington County that makes up almost one-third of our budget. For the remainder we rely on the support of our members, as well as organizations and companies who sponsor our events. Today, 20 civic organizations are members, as are 65 businesses and more than 180 local residents. Won’t you please join them in becoming a CPRO member today? To access a residential/civic or business membership form, please click on this link: www.columbiapike.org/membership/index_E.html. If you’ve joined previously and have a question about whether your membership is current, please call the office at 703-892-2776. Thank You!

 

As always, the CPRO staff welcomes your input. Email your suggestions, questions, comments, and offers of assistance to Jim Whittaker at jwhittaker@columbiapike.org; Pam Holcomb at pholcomb@columbiapike.org; or Amy McWilliams at amcwilliams@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.