Action on two major development proposals in the Langston Boulevard corridor will highlight this weekend’s County Board meeting.
One of the projects is a 300-unit residential building at 3130 Langston Blvd, while the other is a 47-unit townhouse project at 2134 N. Taylor Street. Both have received the Planning Commission’s support, although county staff have recommended against the townhouses.
Other votes expected at the Saturday meeting concern Green Valley placemaking projects, funding for a new entrance to the Crystal City Metro station and county access to several apartment buildings.
That’s all ahead of a vote on the county budget, slated for Wednesday, April 22.
The Langston Blvd projects: Board members are being asked to approve zoning changes to permit development of up to 300 residential units in a 12-to-13-story building on the 1.68-acre site of the former Walgreens at 3130 Langston Blvd.
The project also would include approximately 7,200 square feet of ground-floor retail, along with 361 parking spaces in below- and above-grade structured parking. A new public space would be constructed on the southwest corner of the site.
Planning Commission members voted 9-0, with one recusal, in support of the Rooney Properties project. Concerns about the scope of the development have been raised by a number of adjoining neighborhood associations.
A total of 19 of the units would be designated as committed-affordable, and the developer would provide about $1.8 million to the county’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund.
The second major development project slated for a public hearing and vote is the plan to build 47 townhouse units on a 2.8-acre parcel at 2134 N. Taylor Street in the Waverly Hills neighborhood.
While county planning staff has been critical of the project for failing to meet the letter of the Langston Boulevard Area Plan, the development plan has received support from the Planning Commission, Transportation Commission, Langston Boulevard Alliance and civic associations in Waverly Hills and Cherrydale.
The site is currently home to some unoccupied single-family residences. A previous development plan, approved but never constructed, called for a six-story, 175-unit senior-living facility on the parcel.
Nestled between Langston Blvd and Cherry Hill Road, the site is bordered by the Horizon Apartments to the north, Stoneridge Knoll Condominiums and Taylor Street Condominiums to the east, Yorktown Condominiums to the west, and townhomes and low-density commercial businesses to the south.
Funding to support Green Valley placemaking: Board members are expected to approve four grants totaling $80,000 in support of community development in the Green Valley neighborhood.
Board members earlier voted for the one-time funding for proposals related to “place-making, community building, programming, economic development and/or housing-related projects.”
Thirteen proposals were submitted, requesting a total of $829,595. A panel consisting of staff from various county departments reviewed and scored the proposals.
Submissions recommended for funding include:
- Challenging Racism: $30,000 for a four-part initiative to “foster dialogue, empathy and unity”
- Latino Economic Development Center: $23,762 for a three-month financial empowerment course for up to 20 participants, focused on building generational wealth
- Arlington Thrive: $13,571 for quarterly nutrition education programs
- Macedonia Baptist Church: $6,667 for “serving as a convener and community builder in collaboration with other proposals”
Funding will be distributed in quarterly increments. [Item #17]
Changes to Crystal City Metro entrance: Board members are expected to approve amendments to the document guiding development of a second entrance to the Crystal City Metro station.
The changes will permit the county to recoup about $2.1 million from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for requested design changes.
The county government is leading the design and construction of the second entrance in coordination with a joint venture between JBG Smith Properties and Clark Construction, with WMATA as an additional partner.
Construction began in mid-2024 and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027. The project is located on the northwest corner of Crystal Drive and 18th Street S., and will connect to the station platform below ground. [Item #12]
Access to AHC properties: Board members are slated to approve an agreement granting the county government access to space at several properties operated by Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC Inc.).
The county’s Department of Human Services provides eviction prevention programming at the properties.
The agreement up for approval grants the county the non-exclusive right to use designated spaces at least once per week in the following properties: The Apex, Gates of Ballston, The Shell and The Shelton. [Item #20]
Vote on budget set for April 22: Board members will take action on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget plan, and set tax rates, at their recessed meeting on Wednesday, April 22.
