September Newsletter and September 14 Meeting

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

CCCA August 2022 Newsletter

Click here to download

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

Happy Fourth of July!

July Newsletter is Outclick 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

CCCA May Newsletter is Out

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

  1. On May 18th at 7:00, we will have a presentation by the County on Transportation. We will also have
    an in-person report from an Amazon representative on their HQ2. Lastly we will have a short
    presentation by Dweck on their new buildings. Join us in person at 251 18th St S or register in
    advance
    for this meeting.
  2. Last week the County Board approved the Helix, three office buildings and the rest of the
    development for Amazon at PenPlace. Besides my comments before the County Board, NBC4
    interviewed me.
  3. The County is developing a new graphics tool for all things construction/development. There will be
    a meeting on Monday May 16th at 7:00. This should be a good tool for all residents.
  4. The bringing down of Route 1 has generated several alternatives for 18th Street. VDOT made a
    presentation on Thursday and we will be having a meeting on the various choices.
  5. The County is proposing to change the way Storm-Water is going to be billed to residents.
    Switching to a Storm-Water Utility will mean Crystal City Property Owners will see net bills will fall and
    single-family owners will see an increase, but the method of payment will change.
  6. The Civic Federation is proposing numerous changes to the County Government Structure. For
    example, one recommendation is to increase the number of County Board Members from 5 to 7.

See more in the Newsletter.

Eric Cassel, CCCA President

April CCCA Newsletter

Download it here.

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.  

July 1-10 Feedback on the Development Plans for 101 S. 12th Street now open


As previously noted, the entire process for reviewing the site plans of developers has gone virtual. The CCCA sponsored a first pre-briefing by JBG Smith on June 8. The County has now opened a one-week period of engagement for the community to provide feedback. There will be a separate period later in July for additional feedback. Then the entire project will go to the Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC).


That means, our input is critical. Whatever concerns or issues you have, this is the time to raise them. Please note that the design of the Gateway Park at the entrance to Long Bridge Park will not/not be part of this SPRC process, but come later. So comments should be focused on any issues related to construction of the proposed building. This could include concerns about such issues as: 1) traffic; 2) the Ball Street extension from 10th to 12th Streets; 3) storm water runoff; 4) building height; etc.

The Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) is seeking community input about a proposed site plan at 101 12th Street S. known as Crystal Gateway. You’re invited to review project materials and provide comments online during the engagement session which will run from July 1 to July 8.

This feedback window will focus on the block plan, land use and zoning, site design, architecture, and transportation.

After reviewing the materials above, use the online feedback form to share your input.

The staff planner for this project is Courtney Badger: [email protected].

The SPRC Chair for this review process is Tenley Peterson: [email protected].

Full information available here.https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAARLINGTON/bulletins/293757f

Pre-Briefing on JBG Smith Plans to Develop 101 S. 12th Street

COVID-19 has changed all of our patterns recently, including community outreach and awareness of development projects in Arlington County.  The County has recently issued an ordinance on public meetings that will limit in-person participation in SPRC, Planning Commission, and County Board meetings.  Since we in the 22202 zip code may experience the majority of development plans that will come before the Board, it is important that we all stay informed and make our views known during the early stages of planning.   Luckily we have a good partner in JBG Smith.

In advance of the expected SPRC meeting to be held by the County on JBG Smith’s development plans for 101 S. 12th Street, JBG Smith is offering voluntarily an informal briefing open to the public for information purposes and questions.  The Crystal City Civic Association is sponsoring this meeting since the development will be done in Crystal City in order to ensure substantial outreach to the community during the COVID-19 crisis which has made face to face meetings impossible.  Anyone who plans to attend the virtual SPRC meeting (potentially in July) should plan to attend this virtual meeting.

JBG will be hosting this virtual meeting on WebX June 8 from 7-8 pm with a 20-25 minute presentation by JBG Smith followed by a Q and A period.  The participation will be by pre-registration only for security purposes and is open to 22202 residents and other invited guests,

including County planners.  In order to attend, please register on the link below.  Registrants will be sent the link prior to the meeting and only registrants will be allowed to view the virtual meeting, in order to avoid internet bombing.  Registrants who prefer to attend by phone can use the phone number below to call.  In the same way that County Board virtual meetings are currently being held on the COVID crisis, a chat feature will be available to submit questions or comments that will be answered after the briefing.

Here’s the attendee link to register and audio dial-in information as well:

Date and time: Monday, June 8, 2020 7:00 pm

Duration:  1 hour

Description:  JBG SMITH development team is pleased to provide a project overview of 101 12th Street to our community neighbors.

Audio conference:  To receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the event, or call the number below and enter the access code.

+1-415-655-0001

Access code: 477 254 163

Gunston Bubble is being renovated

The Gunston Bubble is being renovated so that it is more energy efficient and reliable.

This Parks Maintenance Capital project will design and construct the athletic facility (bubble), site circulation, electrics & lighting, heating, drainage, stormwater management and landscaping. No new amenities are planned for this project, which is funded by the Capital Improvement Plan.

Sign up for updates on the project from the County here.