Have you heard this about ownership of Columbia Pike?

Arlington County Board Seeks Control of Columbia Pike
Move meant to facilitate revitalization, street car program

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Board, citing the need to advance its redevelopment plans of a key east-west corridor, today adopted a resolution seeking control of a 3.5 mile stretch of Columbia Pike now owned and maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Should the Commonwealth Transportation Board agree to the request, the County would assume full control of the right-of-way from the Arlington-Fairfax County Line to Joyce Street. The County would then be responsible for additional maintenance and operating expenses estimated to cost $180,000 to $450,000. Arlington already maintains all of the traffic signals, streetscape, and bus stops in the corridor and pays for virtually all street improvements.

“Everyone in Arlington has a stake in the successful revitalization of the Columbia Pike corridor,” said County Board Chairman Barbara Favola. “Owning the road and associated right-of-way will make it easier for Arlington to ensure the transformation of Columbia Pike from a suburban highway to an urban, pedestrian focused and transit-oriented main street.”

VDOT ownership slows revitalization
Columbia Pike’s current classification as a primary road under VDOT ownership means that the County must go through an extensive review process with VDOT for even locally funded construction projects. Many of those projects – including a proposed plan to build a streetcar system along the Pike – are not typical of VDOT plans. Often, the County must go through a time-consuming, costly process to obtain design exceptions to implement its plans, leading to project delays. The County expects substantial savings from the avoidance of delays, especially when the streetcar system is built.

Transferring ownership of Columbia Pike to the County would eliminate or reduce VDOT’s involvement in road-related projects along the corridor.

Background
County government, residents and the business community have worked for more than 15 years to create a plan for an urban, pedestrian focused and transit-oriented main street along Columbia Pike. In March 2002, the Board adopted a revitalization plan, the Columbia Pike Initiative, based on extensive community involvement. More than one million square feet of development based on that plan is now being built in the corridor. One major mixed-use development, the Halstead, is completed.

In the past 10 years, the County has spent about $12 million on capital projects along the Pike – all of which required design approval and permits from VDOT. The County has allocated another $9.5 million for planned streetscape and utility undergrounding improvements for the Pike.

A streetcar system has been identified as a solution to address the increasing transit demand along the Pike. The system will ease traffic congestion, improve commutes and encourage land owners and developers to continue to make improvements to and investment in the planned development along Columbia Pike.

Security Committee Pool Party

Mark your calendars...it's time for a pool party on Saturday. It's going to be from 6 to 8 PM. I was waiting to see if the Crier was going to give more details but alas we have not gotten it yet.

Don't you think the July Crier should be out before the 15th of the month? Perhaps even list the event on the website if you can't get the Crier out in a timely manner? I know this is a topic every month...but the Crier used to come out a lot earlier in past years. Why does it take so much longer now?

Do You Pick Up After Your Dog? (or cat)

I see this topic in the Crier all the time and someone posted about it in Wednesday's blog comments. The question is do you pick up after your animal? Do you think that AV residents don't pick up after their dog or do you think it is the surrounding dog owners that litter AV with their non-resident poop?

I know people get wound up around this topic so let's hear about it. Is there a certain location in the Village that has more attacks than others? If so, watch your step.

Stinky Garbage Cans

Just wondering how everyone's garbage cans are smelling about right now? I received an email about the H Courtyard's garbage cans smelling to high heaven and the sighting of cockroaches. I believe the maintenance guys are supposed to wash out the cans when they take out the garbage. Anyone have insight to the procedure?

Columbia Pike almost 200 Years Old

Check out the story in the Sun Gazette. They are already starting to plan festivities for next year to celebrate the history of the road. Should be a great way to show how the corridor is changing and getting better and better.

Even More Information on July 4th Festivities

Didn't get enough from the last post? Check out the Washington Post link and find out where all the fireworks shows are AND what places will pack a picnic for you. Great Information! Have a safe 4th of July. I'm assuming you will be BBQ'ing and not reading the blog until Monday. Will blog at you then.

Where to Watch Fireworks?

According to the Arlington VA website...here are the places they suggest...anyone got a really good spot they'd like to share?

"Popular spots in Arlington to watch the national display are the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) , and areas along the Virginia side of the Potomac River that can be reached from George Washington Memorial Parkway.

If you plan to watch the fireworks from Iwo Jima, take Metro’s Orange line to the Rosslyn Metro station. Approximate walking distance from Rosslyn Metro to Iwo Jima is 0.2 mile.

To reach the George Washington Memorial Parkway’s Gravely Point parking lot, head south on the Parkway until you reach Reagan National Airport. At the airport, circle back to head north onto the Parkway towards the 14th Street Bridge. About a quarter of mile before the bridge, turn right into the parking area. No glass bottles, alcohol or fireworks are allowed at the Gravely Point parking lot or anywhere along the Parkway.

Another place people can go to watch the fireworks is Gateway Park in Rosslyn and the Key Bridge, which crosses the Potomac River between Georgetown and Arlington. Take Metro’s Orange line to the Rosslyn Metro station. Get there early to grab a spot at the bridge. There's no seating at the bridge, and you can stand on the sidewalks only.

A great place to watch fireworks is from the Air Force Memorial , located on a hill on Columbia Pike. You can enjoy a free concert by the Air Force Band, beginning at 8:00 p.m. Closest Metro stations are Pentagon and Pentagon City. You can park at Navy Annex parking lots (enter from Joyce Street or Columbia Pike) or park at Pentagon Mall; be sure to be parked no later than 7:30 p.m.

Traffic alert: a number of streets will be closed on July 4th. Take Metro where possible."