Street upgrades in Bluemont, Claremont and Shirlington, plus a loan for renovating 73 affordable housing units, are scheduled for County Board consideration this weekend.
Board members have a total 52 items on their consent agenda this month, but no regular hearing items. All items pulled for further consideration will be heard at the Board’s recessed meeting, set for Wednesday, June 18.
‘Complete Streets’ projects: Board members are slated to consider design and construction funding for two projects in the county’s Neighborhood Complete Streets program.
One project involves 8th Road N. between N. Kensington Street and N. Jefferson Street in the Bluemont neighborhood, while the other involves the intersection of S. Dinwiddie Street and 22nd Street S. in the Claremont neighborhood.
The Bluemont project, estimated to cost $971,000, includes the construction of one block of missing sidewalk with accessible curb ramps, curb and gutter.
The Claremont proposal calls for new curb extensions, accessible curb ramps with curb and gutter and two improved pedestrian crossings at the intersection. It is estimated to cost $551,000.
The Neighborhood Complete Streets Commission unanimously recommended funding the two projects in May. County staff supports the request.
Shirlington streetscape improvements: Another item going before the County Board would pave the way for streetscape and plaza improvements at the Village at Shirlington.
While voting on site plan amendments to make this possible, county leaders are scheduled to vote on turning over control of sidewalk areas in a portion of the Village at Shirlington to the property owner.
The county government has held right-of-way easements there since the late 1950s. Handing control to the property owner, a subsidiary of Federal Realty Investment Trust, will ease bureaucratic hurdles for the company.
The property owner has agreed to pay the county $208,422 in compensation. County staff say there will be no change to existing sidewalk use.
Loan for Barcroft Apartments: Board members are being asked to approve a loan of nearly $7.8 million to support renovation of 73 units at the Barcroft Apartments at 1320 S. George Mason Drive.
The Affordable Housing Investment Fund loan requires that the units be preserved as committed-affordable rentals for nearly a century.
Most of the apartments will be rented at prices affordable to households earning 60% of the annual median income (AMI), while nine of the 73 will be available to those with incomes no higher than 30% of AMI.
The funding is part of a much larger preservation effort at the 1,335-unit Barcroft Apartments.
The complex consists of 59 buildings built in phases between 1939 and 1953.
Fire/EMS agreement with Falls Church: Board members may also act on an updated agreement for fire and emergency medical services with the City of Falls Church.
As of the start of the week, county staff had not posted a final report on the extent of the proposed changes.
At a recent work session in Falls Church, the two jurisdictions generally agreed on the parameters of the changes, but Falls Church City Council members raised some concerns about specifics.
Alcohol change for County Fair: Board members are expected to add the grounds of Thomas Jefferson Park to county park facilities where alcohol can be served at special events.
This would allow a beer garden to move inside the park during the Arlington County Fair. In recent years, a beer garden was held on 2nd Street S., next to but outside the park’s boundaries.
While the change is focused on the upcoming fair, it would also allow other special events on park grounds to serve alcohol with the county’s permission.
Existing parks with similar arrangements include Fort C.F. Smith, Clarendon Central Park, Gateway Park, Long Bridge Park and Penrose Square.
Historic designation in Cherrydale: Board members are expected to designate a home at 2002 N. Stafford Street in Cherrydale as a local historic district.
The “Brennan House” is a Craftsman bungalow dating to the early 20th century. The current owners requested the designation.
Being designated a local historic district requires a property owner to accept certain guidelines and go through county historic-preservation staff and the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board for exterior changes.
Change in cab company ownership: Board members are expected to authorize a change in ownership of Blue Top Cab from longtime president John Massoud to several employees.
The Transportation Commission and county staff support the request to give the new owners operating authority.
Blue Top, in operation since the 1980s, is the second largest of the six cab companies licensed to operate in Arlington.
Legal support for seniors: Board members are slated to allocate $50,000 in federal funding to Legal Services of Northern Virginia.
The funding will support legal services for county seniors in need, something required by the federal Older Americans Act.
No local tax dollars are involved.
Sign-ordinance changes: Board members are slated to authorize a July 17 public hearing on proposed changes to the county’s sign ordinance.
The changes could provide more flexibility for property owners and tenants.
