You can see the presentation on Project Journey at National Airport by the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA) here. The new terminal will open by summer. The work on the security checkpoints is ongoing.
National Airport
You can see the presentation by the Arlington County Police Department about Outreach and prevention in 22202 here, crime statistics compared for the first 3 months of 2019-2021 here, and crime statistics for the entire years of 2018-2020 here. The lists are broken down by civic association in 22202 and by the crime established by Virginia statutes.
Good meeting February 22 with VDOT. Although the Livability Working Group on Route 1 provided VDOT with 19 pages of comments and requests for more data on their feasibility study, they responded only to a few comments at this meeting and promised more substantive reply on data later on. We took the opportunity to review the scope of the study, community concerns, and possible alternatives or ideas on how to deal with Route 1. You can view the recorded meeting here and see the Livability slide show and VDOT slides here.
According to the VDOT project website, the study on Route 1, from approximately 12th Street to 23rd Street South, will explore an at-grade urban boulevard, but also review and compare potential improvements to the current elevated condition, and the elevated urban boulevard described in the Crystal City Sector Plan. Ultimately, the study aims to provide sufficient information to make the best decision on a future project on Route 1 in Crystal City. However, from comments at the February 22 meeting, it appears that VDOT is only focusing on whether it is feasible to bring Route 1 down to grade and not on other options. This is disappointing and we will continue to advocate for a variety of alternatives and emphasize safety issues for crossing Route 1 without making it a major highway.
There will be a Task Force meeting February 25 (in which several Livability representatives participate) and a public meeting March 3. Register for the March 3 VDOT meeting here.
Agenda (Feb 22)
1. Introduction to Livability22202 and the Route 1 Working Group role in the VDOT study
2. Overview of VDOT Route 1 Multimodal Improvements Study scope and status
3. Issues the Working Group identified through the L22202 survey and workshops
4. Review of suggested alternatives for Route 1
5. VDOT Responses to Livability22202 input
5. Review of Working Group requested data & analysis (Us) (7:40-7:50)
6. Scope and purpose of next VDOT public engagement March 3
7. Q&A and discussion of next steps
On January 11, 2021, the presidents of the three civic associations in 22202–Arlington Ridge, Aurora Highlands, and Crystal City–forwarded to VDOT the Livability22202 comments on the VDOT feasibility study. These comments provide feedback to the VDOT Public Information Meeting on the Multimodal Improvements Study for Route 1 on 16 December 2020. The covering letter and the four extensive Appendices are linked here.
7:30 pm: Kimberly Driggins, Executive Director of the Washington Housing Conservancy, explained what the WHC is, its funding by Amazon to acquire Crystal Houses for $377M, and the affordable housing parameters for Crystal Houses. The acquisition will lead to the preservation and creation of 1,300 affordable homes.
8:00 pm: The Livability22202 Housing Working Group provided a summary and highlights of the Livability Housing report issued in December, the ongoing county Missing Middle Study and Housing Report, and the Working Group’s meetings with County Board members.
The meeting was recorded and can be viewed here when available. Currently viewable on the CCCA Facebook page.
Don’t forget to renew your membership here and stay involved. After February 1, you may not get your Newsletter or email updates if not paid. This is the last Newsletter for those paid only in 2020.
1. January 27 CCCA Meeting: Read the summary of the meeting on COVID and Development and click on the links to see the full meeting and the slide presentations.
2. Development: Each month, a listing of all upcoming development and other major issues will be included i the Newsletter.
3. Upcoming Meetings: February 2: JBG Pre-Construction Meeting on 1900 Crystal Drive February 9 Livability22202 Meeting on County Planning and Affordable Housing February 15 virtual workshop on the Pentagon City Planning Study February Livability22202 Meeting with VDOT on Route 1 Feasibility Study, Date TBD March 17 CCCA Meeting with MWAA on Project Journey at the airport
During the first hour, Arlington County Health Director, Dr. Reuben Varghese, and Assistant Director of Public Health, Robert Sharpe, briefed on 1) their COVID vaccination plan (this is the updated slide presentation); 2) what they are doing to help disadvantaged during the crisis (e.g., food/evictions); and 3) the impact COVID has had on the County budget. See the slide presentation on #2 and #3 here.
During the second hour, JBG Senior VP for Development Andy VanHorn provided development updates on: 1) the recent purchase of Crystal Houses by the Washington Housing Conservancy and JBG Smith plans to manage it; 2) the ongoing public engagement about their site plan for 2000/2001 Clark/Bell; and 3) upcoming construction at 1900 Crystal Drive. This segment ended with a review of the timeline for development and other issues over the next few years. See the slide presentations here.
During the first hour, Arlington County Health Director, Dr. Reuben Varghese, and other public health officials will brief on 1) their COVID vaccination plan, 2) what they are doing to help disadvantaged during the crisis (e.g., food/evictions), and 3)the impact COVID has had on the County budget.
During the second hour, JBG Senior VP for Development Andy VanHorn will return to give brief development updates on: 1) the recent purchase of Crystal Houses by the Washington Housing Conservancy and JBG Smith plans to manage it; 2) the ongoing public engagement about their site plan for 2000/2001 Clark/Bell; and 3) upcoming construction at 1900 Crystal Drive.
You can interact on Zoom or by phone, or watch on Facebook Live.https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84657595914… Meeting ID: 846 5759 5914 Passcode: 323824 One tap mobile +13017158592,,84657595914#,,,,*323824# US (Washington D.C)
Did you miss it? JBG Smith held a virtual open house meeting on December 2nd on their plans to upgrade the Water Park. There was lots of feedback and interest (as well as some concerns) for this new project feature. For those who were unable to make it, the presentation from the meeting is posted for reference as well as the answers to the questions JBG received during the presentation; see the new tab titled ‘Water Park’. https://courbanize.com/projects/crystalparks/survey
JBG Smith has submitted a site plan amendment to make changes to the Crystal City Water Park, as we have posted previously. At our request, they are holding a virtual public community meeting December 2 from 6-7 pm to show their revised plans and get feedback from the community. JBG and Equity Realty own the park, but it is also one of the most well-known symbols of Crystal City. So we will want to be informed and let them know what we do and don’t like in their plan.
1. Election of Officers: Welcome to our new (and returning) officers. The following were elected by acclamation poll for a two-year term:
Vice President for Policy and Planning: Christopher Wimbush
Treasurer: Eric Cassel
Membership Liaison: Emily Norton
Communications Director: Idris Clay
2. Public Community Meeting on the Water Park: JBG Smith has submitted a site plan amendment to make changes to the Crystal City Water Park, as we have posted previously. At our request, they are holding a virtual public community meeting December 2 from 6-7 pm to show their revised plans and get feedback from the community. JBG and Equity Realty own the park, but it is also one of the most well-known symbols of Crystal City. So we will want to be informed and let them know what we do and don’t like in their plan. One of the key issues is the proposal to put 8 back-to-back kiosks at the edge of the park with 2 sidewalks on either side–1 between the kiosks and a tree-lined buffer to the street and a larger one open to the park. If the kiosks go in what do you think they should sell: e.g., only food and drink? That’s a JBG decision, but if you have strong feelings or good ideas, be prepared to suggest them. The link to register for the meeting is here: https://jbgsmith.zoom.us/…/WN_JonbM_GATXi-AJBvZw94IA
3. CCCA Plans for 2021: As it looks like we will be staying virtual until at least the summer of 2021, the Executive Committee is starting to plan for bimonthly meetings on a series of topics that could include, among others: updates on the airport Project Journey, the Aquatic Center, and other development issues; Virginia Tech Alexandria project; Arlington County CERT training; police and fire department issues; etc. Please send us your ideas about topics you would like to be covered: [email protected].
4. The VDOT Route 1 Multimodal Feasibility Study: The first Public Engagement Meeting will be held Wednesday, December 16 at 6:30 P.M. See details in Newsletter.
The November 11, 2020, Annual Meeting was live streamed on our CCCA Facebook page and can be viewed there.
Election of Officers: The following were elected by acclamation poll for a two-year term:
Vice President for Policy and Planning: Christopher Wimbush
Treasurer: Eric Cassel
Membership Liaison: Emily Norton
Communications Director: Idris Clay
2. Amendment to ByLaws: The following proposed amendment was approved by vote and will be added to Section 2.1 Members:
Further, residents of Potomac Yards/Arlington, an area that is outside the CCCA boundaries established in Section 1.3 but currently not covered by any civic association, may be considered as non-voting Associate Members, provided that they are not active members of another civic association.
