Crystal City Civic Association (CCCA)
A Voice for Crystal City Residents
NOTE: This is a hybrid meeting. Participants may choose to either:
Topics include:
Thanks to all who presented or asked questions!
The base powerpoint is:
https://www.crystalcitycivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/septccca.pdf
The video is:
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
The CCCA sponsored a meeting of Livability22202 and the 3 civic associations on June 15 to prepare residents for the upcoming VDOT Public Information meeting on June 21. It was a good overview of why VDOT is conducting a feasibility study on bringing Route 1 down to grade, what we see as the problems with the VDOT plan, and suggestions that Livabiity22202 has for the intersection at 18th Street and the Right of Way (width of the road). A summary of the meeting is in the following pdf:
If you missed the meeting, you can see it here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ygr5cgm7ou3zx9j/june15route1.mov?dl=0
The main presentation powerpoint is here:
Also plan to attend the VDOT PIM (Public Information Meeting) #2 on June 21st at 6:30 pm. In case you cannot attend, you will be able to review the meeting recording and presentation through the VDOT meeting website. Send your ideas and comments to VDOT by July 15.
Learn all about Route 1 Proposed Changes!
VDOT is studying REMOVING the bridges over 15th and 18th Streets. Both intersections are proposed to be ‘at grade’.
Come to the June 15, 2022 Livability 22202 Route 1 Workshop to learn about the Livability 22202 Route 1 Working Group and VDOT proposals to address these issues and to share your ideas and concerns. Register in advance for this virtual meeting: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Can’t attend the meeting? The meeting recording and presentation will be posted to the Livability 22202 Working Group page for your review.
Also plan to attend the VDOT PIM (Public Information Meeting) #2 on June 21st at 6:30 pm. In case you cannot attend, you will be able to review the meeting recording and presentation through the VDOT meeting website. Send your ideas and comments to VDOT by July 15.
Message from CCCA’s President
Thanks to everyone who joined us virtually and in person for our May meeting on transportation. Our next regular meeting will be in September, but we will have a special meeting on June 15 to cover Route 1. This meeting will be for all three civic associations. We will cover all the different alternatives for 18th street and Route 1!
The County 10-year investment plan was recently released and 3 Crystal City Parks were included. We have a significant number of new parks in the planning stages, but funding has been uncertain.
With summer approaching, please maintain personal awareness, as crime will increase. While our area does not have high crime rates, it does happen. A purse was recently stolen just outside of Long Bridge Park on Crystal Drive. A violent attack with weapon took place outside Bowlero on 23rd St on May 23.
Finally, be sure to visit our website (https://crystalcitycivic.org) or our Facebook page. (We always need people to help with social media!)
– Eric Cassel, CCCA President
Join us for the next CCCA Meeting:
CCCA Hybrid Meeting May 18, 7-9 pm
Transportation and Development
NOTE: This is a hybrid meeting. Participants may choose to either:
Meeting agenda:
You can join us in person at 251 18th St S or please register in advance for online at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsd-yrrzkqEtdSnKdmvtTiuvDdOidF3hUr
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting by Zoom or phone.
We will try to live stream on Facebook but haven’t been having much luck with that for recent meetings. Facebook/Live streaming page: https://www.facebook.com/crystalcitycivic/live.
The meeting is open to all 22202 residents by Zoom registration or visible on the CCCA Facebook page.
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. Save the Date: Our next CCCA meeting will be May 18. With all of the transportation projects in progress or being planned, we may focus the meeting on that topic.
2. What’s to Become of Route 1? Many of you are aware of the ongoing VDOT feasibility study on the Route 1. You can read the background on the Livability22202 website for the Route 1 working group, including the February 27, 2022, letter to VDOT. VDOT has now started Phase 2 of the study and is planning a Public Information Meeting on April 28. Register here. We don’t know yet what will be covered in that meeting, but we have been disappointed that VDOT discontinued the Task Force meetings with essential stakeholders. In the meantime, the Livability working group continues to engage with VDOT, the National Landing BID, the People Before Cars coalition, and JBG to develop creative solutions to the problems of bringing Route 1 down to grade. Safety of crossing Route 1 for pedestrians and bikers is our primary goal and lowering Route 1 to grade with a traffic intersection at 18th Street poses the greatest risks. Working with two pro bono urban architects, the working group has proposed consideration of three ideas: a) pedestrian/bike-only plazas on both sides of Route 1 at 18th Street; b) passageways under Route 1 at 18th for bikes and pedestrians that would connect to the Metro and c) a “blue sky” option for a bridge over Route 1 similar to Highline in NYC. We will continue to inform the community as the study progresses as we seek the best options for a safe crossing of Route 1.
3. Construction to start for Transitway on 12th and Crystal Drive April 4: A notice went out March 25. But remember that beginning the week of April 4th, Arlington County contractors will initiate the construction work for the first segment of the Transitway Extension to Pentagon City. The work includes the installation of two new transit stations at Crystal Drive & 15th Street S, and 12th Street S. & Long Bridge Drive, along with street improvements along 12th Street S. between S. Eads St. and S. Clark St., and the intersection of 12th Street S. at Crystal Drive. See details in the Newsletter.
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.