Crystal City Civic Association (CCCA)
A Voice for Crystal City Residents
We had a meeting on May 17th and the following pdf’s were presented. Philip did not have a presentation, but reported on the progress on MetPark. Amazon is going to 3 days in the office and expects several thousand employees with in a month.
Message from CCCA’s President
On September 14th (Wednesday) at 7pm we will have our next CCCA meeting. We will have an update from JBGS on all of their construction projects, a presentation by the County transportation staff on alternatives for Metro. We will have one more presentation that has not been confirmed.
Mark your calendars for Nov 16th and Jan. 18th for our next two meetings. All will be hybrid. If you have suggestions for topics, please email me. We are always trying to find presentations!
Register in advance for the September meeting at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkde2tpjgoHd0_eY7447i31YOTx8meHtQX
– Eric Cassel, CCCA President
Click here to download the September Newsletter
https://www.crystalcitycivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/CCCA_Newsletter-No.-9-September-2022.pdf
Message from CCCA’s President
Livability22202 is looking at the problem of crime in the area. We are meeting with the police and are looking for volunteers to work on the issue. If you are interested, please email me at: [email protected].
Last month we did a survey on potential names for the two parks at the Amazon HQ2 sites: MetPark and PenPlace. The results are here. Overall, the names chosen are likely candidates for the final names.
Lastly, have a great summer! Be sure and take some time off and enjoy life!
– Eric Cassel, CCCA President
Update as of July 14, 2022
VDOT held a virtual public information meeting #2 June 21. Watch the meeting video here. Comments were requested by Friday, July 15. Livability22202 and the People Before Cars Coalition submitted a letter of joint comments on July 7, focusing on areas of agreement. This was a follow-up to the joint letter sent on May 20. Livability22202 sent a letter July 14, focusing on the need for better protection for peds/cyclists at 18th Street and additional measures to improve VDOT’s plans for the boulevard Right of Way. The Crystal City Citizens Review Council submitted a letter July 14 as well. Review the CCCA meeting June 15 for a full understanding of the Livability22202 concerns and proposals to VDOT.
Next steps: The third PIM is scheduled for September and will include more information on TDM methods.
July Newsletter is Out – click here to download
July 4 Announcement of Road Closures and places to View the Fireworks: See inside the Newsletter for details
Message from CCCA’s President
We have a survey about Park Names! Three parks around the new Amazon HQ2 need names. In the map below are the 3 parks. Park 1 is next to Eads and just north of the Whole Foods. Park 2 is the redesigned park. And the 3rd park is essentially inside the Amazon Property where the Helix will be. Please take a survey below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T2M8VX3
The Livability 22202 Housing Working Group wants to hear from renters in our zip code. Please take a few minutes to share your recent living experiences, rent increases, what you enjoy and what is challenging here. You can do so anonymously if you wish! Here is the link.
Route 1 continues to be a major commitment for me. We had a great meeting on the 15th and VDOT’s meeting on the 18th was interesting, but we had problem with not enough space outside the roadway. Sidewalks, bike lanes and trees are important for a road. We are working hard to get the best solution for our neighborhood.
– Eric Cassel, CCCA President
Once again, filled with lots of information on what’s happening in our area. Don’t forget, you can get this Newsletter and email update in your in box and vote at meetings by becoming a member of the CCCA for $10 annually. Local businesses may become Associate Members without a vote.
President’s Corner
May 18th Meeting and More Issues than Normal
Eric Cassel, CCCA President
1. Message from Your President: A big thank you to everyone who made January’s Meeting a success! We had a presentation by VDOT on the proposed changes to Route 1. Then a discussion panel with Carol Fuller, Pam Van Hine, and Arthur Fox, led by Brian Harner. Lastly, we had a presentation by the County Mental Health Director- Carol Layer on their resources. All the presentations are on the CCCA website. Our next meeting will be in March and we are open to suggestions for topics!
2. REMINDER: Annual Dues Payment Now Overdue: NOTE: If you have not paid your 2022 annual dues, this is the last Newsletter you will receive by email. Annual dues are paid for the calendar year, so payment of $10 will be due no later than February 28 for members to remain on the mailing list as voting members to receive the monthly Newsletter and Updates. Renew online by PayPal or send a check to our new Treasurer Steve Miller, 1300 Crystal Drive #408S, Arlington VA 22202. A confirmation email will be sent by February 28 to all those who have paid their 2022 dues.
3. Seeking a New Newsletter Editor: Your CCCA Newsletter Editor is retiring. Time for new blood, ideas, and innovative format. If you’re interested in writing the monthly Newsletter, let us know at [email protected]. Glad to provide training and all the necessary contacts.
The focus of the meeting was on Route 1. The CCCA slide show is here.
We invited VDOT to provide an update on the study of Route 1 and their recommendation for Option 3 to bring it completely down to grade–an option that Livability22202 and the CCCA believe is inadequate and incomplete. Timewise, we are in Phase 2 (December 2021 to December 2022). VDOT is supposed to conduct a number of studies related to their ongoing study of Route 1. Many of these studies were urged by the Livability22202 Route 1 working group and others. Topics include: Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures to reduce traffic 20-30% from the 2019 baseline; a feasibility and analysis design (for a potential passage under or over 18th Street; improvements to the 23rd Street interchange; bus station relocation); and additional transportation data collection on traffic passing through Route 1 to compare to the 2019 traffic baseline. A Public Information Meeting is planned for late March or early April. A draft report is anticipated by December 2022 and a final report by February 2023. See the VDOT presentation here.
We also had a talk on how to cope with the COVID pandemic by Carol Layer, Director of Behavioral Healthcare Division, Arlington County. See her presentation here with the contact information for County services.
The recording of the full meeting can be viewed on Google Drive here.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022!
We plan to devote most of the meeting to updates on Route 1. VDOT’s Senior Project Manager Dan Reinhard will provide an updated timeline for Phase 2 and a Livability22202 panel will respond with neighborhood residential reaction and comments. We will also have Carol Layer, the Director of the DHS Behavioral Healthcare Division on County Mental Health Services. Register here.
2. President’s Corner (Eric Cassel)
Thanks to all who participated in our surveys. The results are in a separate article. Next month we will have a new survey, so stay tuned.
We will be having our January 19th meeting at 7:00. Right now we hope to have it hybrid (both at 251 18th St S and on Zoom). But if the number of COVID cases continues at the current pace, we may just be on zoom.
Most of the meeting will be on Route 1. Our first quest is Dan Reinhard from VDOT. He will be presenting information about the Phase 2 planning. To help everyone understand the issues, we will follow that with a discussion by several Livability22202 experts.
Lastly, winter can be a tough time for people. As a result, we will also have a presentation by county on mental health resources.
Bird of the Month: during winter, this White-Throated Sparrow comes and visits us.
Results of Two Polls
We did two polls in the past month. The first was a general poll about the Civic Association. The main results were
We also did a poll about the Bowlero. The results were really evenly mixed, so as an Association, we could not take a stand on the annual license renewal.
Overall, the surveys were really helpful in focusing our attention on some important issues and topics members want to see discussed. Our next meeting will feature Route 1, because it is at an unusual stage and we have an opportunity to hear from VDOT about the process and proposal. In future meeting, the Underground and Development issues will be front and center. Please click here for a link to the results: Results of polls
3. REMINDER: Pay your annual CCCA dues now: Annual dues are paid for the calendar year, so payment of $10 will be due no later than February 28 for members to remain on the mailing list as voting members to receive the monthly Newsletter and Updates. Renew online by PayPal or send a check to our new Treasurer Steve Miller, 1300 Crystal Drive #408S, Arlington VA 22202.
Click here to download the Newsletter
Save the Date: November 17 Annual CCCA General Meeting, 7-9 pm
Our agenda includes:
1) Election of new officers;
2) Vote on ByLaws Amendment;
3) presentation by Amazon on its operations in 22202 and its plans for PenPlace; and
4) conversation with Virginia Representative (48th district) Rip Sullivan (who covers almost all of Crystal City).
Register here. In addition, we are organizing a hybrid meeting as a pilot program, both on Zoom and in person. Anyone wishing to attend in person may come to the conference room at 251 S 18th Street (Wells Fargo Building where Precinct 006 Crystal City voters vote): Mask required. Note: Voting will be done by an electronic poll on Zoom.
CCCA Elections: Nominations for Officers of the Crystal City Civic Association (CCCA): Nominations — including self-nominations — have been open from October 18 to November 2 for the following four CCCA officer positions! The principal duties are summarized in the Newsletter. All members whose dues are paid are eligible to nominate, be candidates and to vote in the election at the CCCA Annual General Meeting on the evening of November 17, 2021. Terms for each position are two years. Note: Voting will be done by an electronic poll on Zoom.
Proposed ByLaws Amendment: A simplified description of the title and duties for the CCCA Vice President will be proposed as a ByLaws amendment at the November 17 Annual Meeting and voted on by all eligible CCCA voting members: “The Vice President shall act in the stead of the President in his or her absence and shall perform any additional duties specified elsewhere in this Constitution and Bylaws.” Note: Voting will be done by an electronic poll on Zoom.
The “Other” Elections November 2: Voters can make selections for the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, 45th, 47th, 48th, or 49th House of Delegate Districts, County Board, and School Board, plus vote on 4 proposed Arlington County bond referenda. See all the details here. All 54 polling places will be open November 2, 2021 from 6am-7pm.
Heads Up ONLY for Precinct 006Crystal City Voters: If you vote at 251 S 18th Street, be aware that there is ongoing construction in the plaza areas which has blocked off a number of passageways. The construction fences change every day. Best way to arrive is either from the parking lot (temporary parking and curbside voting will be provided) to the Wells Fargo Bank lobby or by the elevators from the Underground to the lobby. Entry to and exit from the voting precinct itself will ONLY be from inside the lobby across from the Wells Fargo Bank, not the glass doors to the conference room which we have been using for the last few years. JBG will be helping with stanchions, graphics, and signs for COVID precautions. Things will go back to normal in the precinct by next year.
22202 Thanksgiving Food Drive for AFAC: In the spirit of giving, Livability22202 civic associations, the National Landing BID, and the SustainableScoop have come together to organize a Thanksgiving food drive for AFAC. Join your 22202 neighbors November 1-20 to provide canned food and dry goods to help everyone enjoy a good Thanksgiving. The most needed foods include canned tuna, canned soup, canned vegetables, peanut butter, cooking oil, and low sugar cereal. No glass items please, and low sodium and low sugar items are preferred.
Food boxes will be located at 19 sites around 22202. See the locations on the National Landing website. In addition, collection drives will be held at Advent Lutheran Church from 9-12 on Sundays October 31 and November 7, 14, and 21 and from 4-6 on Wednesdays November 3, 10, and 17. Collection drives will be held at the Melwood parking lot from 9-12 on Saturdays November 6, 13, and 20.
Please help us give back to our community and those in need this Thanksgiving season.
Construction Shut Down of 18th Street: Once again, a construction crane will be installed for the 1900 Crystal Drive site. 18th Street will be shut down November 6 from 5 am to 9 pm and on November 7 from 7 am to 9 pm. Backup dates are November 13-14.