The Growler has toted up all of the new and proposed development for the Braddock Road/Parker-Gray area and here are the numbers:
Jaguar (proposed): 670 total one- and two-bedroom units
Madison (proposed): 344 one- and two-bedroom units
Monarch (approved): 168 one- and two bedroom units
Payne St Condos (approved): 146 one- , two- and three-bedroom units
Prescott (approved): 64 one- and two-bedroom units
Grand Total: 1,392 units
The numbers for Jaguar and Madison come from presentations at ICCA meetings in June and July. The total doesn't include the redevelopment of Tony's Auto and the Carpenter's Shelter, which is supposedly coming soon along with the Post Office. The Growler has no idea what will eventually be proposed for the Yates and Dwyer properties.
As you can see, in the next two to three years we will have nearly 1,400 new residents and quite possibly double that number depending on the plans for the other redevelopments.
How many of those 1,392 unit owners will have at least one car?
Let's assume 90%. Few Americans nowadays are without a car. That means 1,253 more automobiles will be cruising our narrow streets.
And let's say conservatively that a third of these owners will have a second car. That's not an outrageous assumption given that the redevelopment includes many two and three bedroom units for two-career couples, roommates and small families.
That adds another 376 automobiles for a total of 1,629 cars. That's a lot for a very small area that is essentially a cul de sac between Braddock Road and Monroe Avenue.
Now let's consider transit. The cock-eyed optimists who assume 50% of the residents will use Metro will still see about 814 additional cars on the road each morning and evening rush hour.
However, Metro ridership at Braddock Road is actually lower, with only 20% of residents living around the station using rail. That means of the 1,629 cars we project will be added to our area, some 1,303 cars may be hitting Patrick, Henry, and Fayette Streets at rush hour.
Now of course there's some wiggle room here. There are vacations, holidays, flexible work hours, etc. Nevertheless, the impact will be staggering.
Then double the numbers to account for projects that are not yet on the table, and try to imagine the level of congestion we will be experiencing in the next few years thanks to the City's taste for extreme development.
50 comments:
Collect the money first, ask questions later. Leave the problems to someone else down the road.
Isnt that how local gov't works?
I think its a fundamental flaw in all levels of government to look at population increase (increased revenue) as a solution to many problems whether they be large (social security) or local (public school funding).
I am still wondering who will live in these units (especially the ones facing Adkins and Bland), considering the existing quality of life issues and crime wave, and what the City really believes will happen once all these people move in (will 1400 residents just sit passively by as quality of life deteriorates, litter piles up, and congestion runs amok)?
Someone on our esteemed Council doesnt think that people will be having the same issues with getting to the Metro that exist now? That somehow because there are now condoes that people will just stroll on over to the Metro at 8 PM at night?
Every new development I have seen will be bordering or facing a trouble spot in the neighborhood (Adkins, Bland, Spa Court, Carpenters Shelter, Mickie D's). Only the Monarch is exempt (and its a mere block away from the party)
The reason I bring this up is because if people dont feel safe to walk around, to mingle, to socialize, to live, they will get in their car to get where they want to go. Whether it be work, play, shop, etc...
Thats the critical flaw in all this. Conditions are not ripe to be "walkable and livable", yet we import more cars into the neighborhood and more future Arlington and DC shoppers/workers, since our own local economy sucks.
I guess this is what they mean by "smart growth - Alexandria style"
"I am still wondering who will live in these units..."
That's the thing - I am not sure that we will end up with all of the projected units, at least not in the short term. We seem to be headed for an over-supply of condo units in Parker Gray. How many of the existing or under-construction units are sold? How many of the planned units will be built if the developers project difficulty selling the units?
That means potentially 1000 units not built (Jaguar and Madison). Developers are already walking away from projects in other areas, including one on upper King Street.
Also in such a market the buyers will be more picky. During the hot market people were pushing to get in anywhere, and may not have taken into consideration all of the aspects of the neighborhood. When faced with so many choices, the buyers may perform more due diligence and select another area.
Perhaps the developers who bought the properties will start pushing the city to clean up these areas, which could prove beneficial to the quality of life here. But more likely they will walk away.
Where is the site for the proposed Jaguar development?
"Collect the money first, ask questions later. Leave the problems to someone else down the road.
Isnt that how local gov't works?
"
You forgot
"Appoint task forces and committees to study problems. Have said task forces and committees produce blue ribbon reports that are then ignored"
Filth and crime abound in PG, and we're worried about parking cars? As far as I'm concerned, keep the development coming. Perhaps that's the only way to squeeze out the excess public housing and force fair share in other parts of Alexandria. I'm serious here. We'll see better retail and the prices of already existing condos will rise, when compared to the cost of new condos. The only problem I see here in PG is the awful public housing and the misery they bring.
Fyi - This congestion is going to stink in plain english, the signs on Fayette and Payne are going to have to come down. I watch the cops every day attempt to enforce them, all awhile other cars are driving around them.
There is not enough raods to handle this mess thats about to be created.
I have no doubt in my mind that the remaining units in the Monarch will be converted to rental until the housing slump recovers. Condo sales are dead all over the region, and I just cannot see why anyone would buy a condo in this area. Especially with the existing supply near the USPTO, at the Eclipse north of Potomac Yards, etc. And I think this is a good thing as it will bring more young professionals to the area, and the buying power that comes with them to patronize the King St establishments. But while the housing projects continue to exist, I don't see anyone wanting to move into the Madison whether they are condos or apartments. Not when so many other living options exist in this area and others. No way.
Currently, there are nearly 60 condos for $500k or less listed for sale in the MLS in the 22314 zipcode. This does NOT include any of the units in the Monarch.
If there are that many units available in Old Town alone, it is absolutely beyond me why anyone would purchase a condo across from Adkins or Bland.
If I were a developer in the Braddock Road area, I'd be doing everything in my power to encourage the City to redevelop those public housing projects. I think the developers are your best partner in pressuring the City to do this.
And to the poster who thinks these additional condo units from Madison, etc. are going to RAISE prices of current condos, think again. It's simple supply and demand. The prices will go down.
The only thing that will make the price of existing condos rise is if the awful public housing projects are redeveloped AND retail is brought to the area.
Anonymous said:
Fyi - This congestion is going to stink in plain english, the signs on Fayette and Payne are going to have to come down. I watch the cops every day attempt to enforce them, all awhile other cars are driving around them.
Here, Here! the overflow caused by the bridge diversion of late has dramatically increased the angry lot of foul mouthed drivers heading up Columbus and Alfred back south to whence they came. I am "this close" to standing in the middle of the street with my own crossing guard uniform to remind commuters--particularly at the end of the day--that PEOPLE actually live on the streets they are abusing as cut-throughs. We are getting more than our fair share thanks to the restrictions on Fay/Payne. I continue to worry that one the unescorted kids near Charles Houston and Bland will end up being hit by the maniacs (and yes, we have called the non-emerg number and the cops are patrolling during rush hour, but they can't be at every corner).
Your numbers are conservative, Growler! I'd bet ALL of those new condo owners are going to have AT LEAST one car.
Where can they walk?
To work? Nope. Braddock Place is empty and there are few other offices or other places of employment within walking distance. Will they metro to their offices? Unlikely. As we've REPEATEDLY told the City, few of us want to risk walking to the metro through Adkins and Bland in the early morning or in the evening.
To do their daily shopping? Nope. There is no grocery nearby now that Harris Teeter is gone. They'll drive to Potomac Yard or Trader Joe's. To Old Town for dinner? Again, through Adkins? Ha.
So, I'm with you. This is going to be a huge traffic and parking mess unless they get rid of Adkins/Bland and get some more mixed use in the area.
Dense condos next to dysfunctional public housing? Recipe for disaster.
"Where is the site for the proposed Jaguar development?"
It's in the area of the Braddock Plan called the Northern Gateway area. It is a roughly triangular piece of land running north from First Street and terminating at the Monroe Avenue. It's on the other side of the Meridian and Potomac Club residences.
Jaguar assembled a number of parcels in that area to create one big mega-site.
Sorry to be OT, but I just read the article in the Alexandria Times regarding the Economic Sustainability Work Group. There was a horrifying quote from the mayor which said this:
“We are beginning to look at trying to attract some national chains, not just for malls, but as anchors on King Street, for example. For some reason, the large chains haven’t chosen Alexandria as a place to locate. We believe that’s because we haven’t sought them out,” he said."
I'm beginning to think the mayor is a head injury victim. Big chains?? On King Street?????? What the Fu?
I thought the goal was TO ATTRACT more people to shop and dine in Alexandria? If so, why the push for chain retail? Why the hell would people come to King Street, where there is little parking, to eat or shop at an establishment they could easily visit somewhere else? Why shop at the Gap on King Street, when you can do that at Tysons, where there is ample parking, many choices, etc.?
Goddamn, but he is stupid. People come to King Street because they can buy things and eat food they can't find anywhere else. WHY DOESN'T OUR MAYOR UNDERSTAND THIS??? While I'm really glad Euille has finally recognized that the city need to start courting retailers, I am horrified at his ignorance about the consequences of chain retailers.
"the overflow caused by the bridge diversion of late has dramatically increased the angry lot of foul mouthed drivers heading up Columbus and Alfred back south to whence they came."
AMEN!!! The City is ignorning this problem. I really wish they'd start ticketing people who honk, blare their music, and violate HOV mere feet from people's living room windows. Why they pander to Fairfax and MD communters over City residents is beyond me...
"Why the hell would people come to King Street, where there is little parking, to eat or shop at an establishment they could easily visit somewhere else? Why shop at the Gap on King Street, when you can do that at Tysons, where there is ample parking, many choices, etc.?"
Amen!
One of the strengths of Del Ray and Arlandria is that Mt. Vernon Avenue is almost exclusively occupied by unique businesses owned and operated by locals.
King Street used to be a much more interesting place to go, with good restaurants and cool shops. After nearly 30 years, however, the Growler seldom goes to shops in the heart of Old Town and almost never Landmark (which used to be a regular stop).
Instead, the Curmudgeonly One is increasingly patronizing businesses in Del Ray, Arlandria, Potomac Yard, Arlington (Pentagon Row and Pentagon City) and likes the West End for its great selection of ethnic restaurants.
"“We are beginning to look at trying to attract some national chains, not just for malls, but as anchors on King Street, for example. For some reason, the large chains haven’t chosen Alexandria as a place to locate. We believe that’s because we haven’t sought them out,” he said."
"
The reason they dont choose Alexandria as a place to locate is two-fold, Mr. Mayor:
1. They dont find the business environment here to be very friendly at all
2. They find it strange that in a City with a near 90k median income, the City is so blatantly anti middle and upper class.
Witness Harris Teeter as one example. When they couldnt get their store at the Madison, they just went north and plopped their store right across 4 mile run, giving the tax money to Arlington, while at the same time forcing Alexandria drivers to drive north to shop at a place they might like to shop at.
Sure, some will argue that they left for other reasons. But any businessman knows what they were doing; saying to the City "We dont want to deal with you anymore".
"That's the thing - I am not sure that we will end up with all of the projected units, at least not in the short term. We seem to be headed for an over-supply of condo units in Parker Gray. How many of the existing or under-construction units are sold? How many of the planned units will be built if the developers project difficulty selling the units? "
My guess is that if they start, they might just build apartments and rent them out. The sad thing is because of the quality of life issues in our neighborhood, other uses (such as commerical or hotel) probably wont get considered. Even though a hotel or more office space would be a perfect use of the land (metro accessible, first stop off airport, etc...)
"We'll see better retail and the prices of already existing condos will rise, when compared to the cost of new condos."
You are assuming that retail will come here and that condoes will be sold.
If public housing conditions remain as they are, why would either of those events occur?
What stores would want to come? What people would want to buy if they can get the same thing in Arlington or DC?
"And I think this is a good thing as it will bring more young professionals to the area, and the buying power that comes with them to patronize the King St establishments."
Another false assumption; young professionals dont come to King St to patronize much of anything anymore, because the area lacks the kind of stores young professionals would want.
Ask any YP; what would u go to Old Town Alexandria for?
Other than a few select restaurants, they will give you a a blank stare. YP's dont talk about the Alexandria bar or nightlife scene, or Alexandria retail.
"If I were a developer in the Braddock Road area, I'd be doing everything in my power to encourage the City to redevelop those public housing projects. I think the developers are your best partner in pressuring the City to do this. "
You dont think they are trying already? EVERYONE knows the projects have got to go; EVERYONE. There are few if any people WITHIN PG that support them. Its all the people OUTSIDE PG who keep pushing for them to remain.
And the fact is, the Council would rather listen to them than to us. But I know for a fact ALL the developers have pushed the City to either let go of Resolution 830 once and for all or come up with some compromise that allows for some type of voucher/fair share model.
Because there is no way we can hold the line on 1150 units much longer.
"Instead, the Curmudgeonly One is increasingly patronizing businesses in Del Ray, Arlandria, Potomac Yard, Arlington (Pentagon Row and Pentagon City) and likes the West End for its great selection of ethnic restaurants. "
Thats the amazing thing for me; I have friends in Arlington and DC and Fairfax who all say the same thing; there is no real reason to come to Old Town anymore except for a few special places they keep coming back for.
Meanwhile, in general, I am always finding myself wanting to go to DC or Arlington. All the time. And for a long time. And because of conditions near where I live, I increasingly find myself doing this out of spite (refusing to shop in Alexandria and telling all my friends not to even consider moving into this dysfunction).
"Why the hell would people come to King Street, where there is little parking, to eat or shop at an establishment they could easily visit somewhere else? Why shop at the Gap on King Street, when you can do that at Tysons, where there is ample parking, many choices, etc.?"
Growler - this topic REALLY hits a nerve with me. And it has significant consequences for any potential retail bound for PG.
Do you think the mayor would be willing to grant you an interview? Your faithful readers could submit questions and the mayor could respond for publication in your blog? I appreciate the significant contribution you make by just having this blog and don't mean to add to your workload, but this interview would be a big service to your readers...
"People come to King Street because they can buy things and eat food they can't find anywhere else. WHY DOESN'T OUR MAYOR UNDERSTAND THIS???"
Growler - based on the number of hits you get, you could easily get some advertising dollars from local merchants. I know I'd make it a point to patronize any local business advertising here. Might be a nice way to get you some compensation for all your hard work, plus support our local biz. Gotta help them fight against our clueless chain-loving mayor...
Yet more evidence of ARHA's incompetence and malfeasance -
today's article in the Gazette indicating that there is a severe bedbug infestation at Ladrey, to the point that one resident had to be treated at the hospital for severe bites!!! What a disgrace. And worse, the article discusses how residents had a hard time getting ARHA staff to respond to their complaints.
Ah ha! You read about the ARHA bedbugs here first!
http://parkergray.blogspot.com/2007/02/city-to-neighborhood-drop-dead.html
"[T]ry to imagine the level of congestion we will be experiencing in the next few years thanks to the City's taste for extreme development."
Every car represents a voter who will (like the rest of us in North Old Town) agitate for humane redevelopment of the public housing. Better a little traffic congestion than an perpetuation of "Great Society" and earlier policies that segregated and concentrated a poor and largely African-American population in public housing ghettos. The reason these projects aren't redeveloped is because no other major voting blocs in town care--out of sight, out of mind. Bring on the cars (and their voting drivers)!
Funny u mention the bedbugs, Growler. I will never forget this money quote:
"But Mr. Miller observed, "Andrew Adkins will stay there until they find somewhere else in the City of Alexandria [to put the units]. And it will never happen."
In one fell swoop, Melvin Miller essentially told all of us that he controls the Braddock Metro planning process and the neighborhoods future, and that he could care less what we or the City thinks. And if ARHA gets in trouble, he will just demand the City give him money to bail it out.
Thats when I lost all respect for him, when he uttered that phrase.
I was simply speechless after I read it:
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=84888&paper=59&cat=104
A bedbug problem at Ladrey High Rise, which sent one resident to the hospital, was once again a topic of discussion at the ARHA Board meeting Monday night at Ladrey on Wythe Street. The problem first surfaced at the June session through resident complaints and a letter from William Harris, chair, Alexandria Commission on Aging, dated June 19.
During the June ARHA Board meeting, Willy Holloway, Ladrey Advisory Board, said that the "bedbug infestation at Ladrey had gotten out of control." Monday night one resident said it was so bad he had to discard his bed.
Also during the June Board meeting, Commissioner Carter Flemming reported that Colby Hatch, supervisor, Adult Services, Alexandria Department of Human Services, had attended the Ladrey Advisory Board's meeting and expressed concern that she had not been able to make contact with ARHA staff on the bedbug infestation. One resident was bitten so severely they sought medical treatment at Inova Alexandria Hospital.
Monday night Miller acknowledged that a contract had been approved for a pest control firm. However, "Today was their first day to operate under that contract," he explained to the Board and residents in attendance.
"There is a meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. this Friday for all interested parties to meet with the pest control firm. That's when they will present their plan for eliminating the infestation," Miller said.
Forty Ladrey units have some level of bedbug infestation, according to Marye Ish, director, Housing Operations, ARHA. "Eight of those have severe problems," she told the Board.
Flemming asked if all Ladrey units had been inspected for the problem. She was assured by Connie Lenox, administrative director, ARHA Development, that "100 percent of the units have been inspected."
Commissioner Ruby Tucker insisted, "We need to do what ever it takes to get rid of these bedbugs." Flemming reported that a second person has been treated at Alexandria hospital recently for bedbug bites.
DUE TO A MINIMAL RESPONSE from professional personnel search organizations, the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority's (ARHA) Board of Commissioners decided Monday night to put their quest for a search firm, to replace former Executive Director William Dearman, on hold until at least their August meeting.
Meeting in executive session following a report given to them by Board Vice Chair Carlyle C. "Connie" Ring, Jr., who is serving with Commissioner Kerry-Ann Powell as the search firm search committee, the decision was made to suspend the process until they receive an analysis from ARHA's interim executive director, Roy Priest.
"We decided to defer any action and asked for further recommendations on how to proceed from our interim executive director. He will give us a report at the August meeting," Ring said.
"There was no vote on the matter. We merely reached a consensus among ourselves on this course of action," he said.
During his report, Ring told the Board they had received only two definite responses to their Request For Proposal (RFP), even though it had been placed on the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Organization's Web site and downloaded 57 times.
"The RFP was emailed to nine firms and hard copies were mailed to two other firms. We received only two proposals; one from Gans, Gans & Associates, Inc., and another from Areus Public," Ring told the Board.
"The first has conducted executive director searches for Pittsburgh, Newark, and Baltimore. The second conducted an executive director search for Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority," he said.
Gans proposed a fee of $39,000 plus expenses for the firm's and candidate's travel. Arcus's fee was $20,000 with expenses capped at an additional $5,000, according to Ring.
"The search committee was disappointed that only two firms responded. At this point we have the following alternatives:
Evaluate and contact references for the two respondees and make an award to one; Re-advertise the RFP; Utilize the services of one of the two firms the City has under contract for services; or Conduct our own search as did the Richmond Authority," Ring informed his colleagues.
It was those options the Board took into executive session. They emerged with a fifth option calling for putting the process on hold until the August meeting and the report from Priest.
Dearman officially resigned April 23 after serving as ARHA's Executive Director for 10 years. His last official day was May 20. Priest, a 17-year veteran of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, began his interim duties in June.
Prior to Priest coming on board, A. Melvin Miller, ARHA chair, stepped down from the chairmanship to run ARHA on a day-to-day basis until Priest arrived. Priest heads his own consulting firm serving clients in both the non-profit and for-profit arenas.
Miller had predicted that the search for a full-time executive director would not be easy. "There are a lot of people out there with experience as directors of housing, but not many with experience in both housing and redevelopment," he stated last month. He was not expecting a problem in finding an executive search firm.
IN OTHER ACTIONS, the Board voted to approve:
* Additional set-asides for Section 8 Housing
* Authorization for staff to extend or replace the letter of credit pertaining to the Glebe Park Apartments which expires in September
* A contract for "substantial renovations" of the Cameron Valley/Yale Drive townhouses.
The fact that they cant even find search firms to handle the process of finding a director should be a telling sign to the City that change at ARHA is needed and is needed now.
And then I read this, and got angry:
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=84891&paper=59&cat=104
Alexandria's Tomorrow: History vs. Economics
City's date with history: past and future.
By Chuck Hagee, Gazette Packet
July 25, 2007
Editor’s Note
This is the first of a three part series and analysis on the preliminary report of the Mayor's Economic Sustainability Work Group.
However the final report on the economic future of the city, due this fall, tracks the preliminary one, which would seem to be a reasonable assumption, it will address an array of economic choices while practically ignoring two vital ones that have served Alexandria well for the past four decades -- historic preservation and quality of residency.
Of the money, by the money and for the money shall be the sustaining goal of Alexandria in the 21st century. That could be the theme of the Mayor's Economic Sustainability Work Group recommendations, as presented to City Council during a June 12 briefing session.
Although only a preliminary report — as vehemently emphasized by Chairman Nigel Morris, co-founder of Capital One — the report places its major emphasis on how to correct the economic problems of the city while paying scant attention to the very thing that makes Alexandria "Alexandria": its historic significance and the preservation of that significance.
"This is meant to be a discussion document, not the final report. We are all vested in this either because of where we live or where we work," Morris told City Council in his opening remarks.
"This document speaks to where we [Alexandria] are. There is something here for all of us not to like. It's an equal opportunity document," he said.
"This City needs to develop ways to make decisions based on economic facts. Services have increased to match the escalation in tax revenue income. But the City has not added any jobs in the last seven years. We have not done a good job in this area," Morris said.
Prior to Morris' presentation, Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille told Council members, "This is not the final report. This preliminary report is designed to keep us on track." The final report of the Work Group is scheduled to be presented to City Council this Fall.
ALTHOUGH HISTORIC PRESERVATION is not usually thought of in economic terms it is basically the lifeblood of Alexandria. It is not only the tourism draw but also why many organizations choose to locate here. It is what makes Alexandria more than just another dot on the ever expanding map of the Greater Washington Metropolitan Region.
In addition to Morris, other members of the Work Group are: James Butler, consultant; Lavern Chatman, NoVA Urban League; Stephen Fuller, regional economist; Dennis Garcia, Potomac Management Corp.; Charlotte Hall, Potomac Riverboat Co.; Mark Kingston, X10 Capital Management Group; Gerg Leisch, Delta Associates, Inc.; John Meagher, former U.S. Treasury Department official; and Lonnie Rich, former City Council member and past president, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce.
The group was established by Euille in June 2006 following an Economic Summit in January of that same year. Its charge was primarily to suggests ways for Alexandria to improve its economic viability as a means of prospering in the 21st century.
THE PRELIMINARY REPORT starts with "Alexandria's Economic Vision." It is comprised of five basic goals:
- Establishment and preservation of a 21st century, knowledge based, creative class, diverse community with a high quality of life.
- A place where businesses locate and grow
- A place where planning and land use encourage smart fiscal practices with historic preservation.
- Where the City government is responsive to all.
- Where taxes generated by commercial activities fund community needs and help reduce taxes paid by residents and local businesses.
That is followed by the group's "Key Recommendations":
- Re-balance the real estate tax base to its previous status of 50 percent commercial and 50 percent residential. Residential real estate taxes now provide 31.7 percent of the tax base while commercial real estate pays only 22 percent.
- Establish employment growth targets reflecting a mix that favors an increasing share of higher paying jobs across all sectors. Although unemployment is low, only 2.2 percent, job growth has been stagnant "during the recent boom."
- Make economics part of the land use decision process. The group maintains that the Special Use Permit process and the controls on historic preservation in the City's historic districts discourage business relocation and expansion.
- Expand business retention and recruitment efforts. This calls for greatly expanding the City's self-marketing and a total reorganization of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP).
- Capture the full economic development potential of the City's Metrorail Stations. They view these resources as severely underutilized and in several cases misnamed thereby causing more confusion than convenience.
- Redevelop Landmark Mall into a major economic center. Although this has been not only suggested but also actively explored prior to the Work Group's creation they view it as a plausible avenue of economic revitalization but seem to ignore the overall land use dimensions of the site coupled with its sociological factors.
- Create a world class waterfront. This takes on a myriad of Alexandria flash points while offering little in practical solutions.
- Increase the economic benefits generated by the City's visitor industry. Here a host of opportunities abound coupled with an equal host of pitfalls that could undermine the very essence of the Alexandria experience for residents and visitors alike.
- Restructure economic development functions. According to the report, "The structure and execution of economic development has been defused and has not led to the optimal economic development results." They call for "significant changes."
- Establish a positive City reputation throughout the regional business community. This is where land use and historic preservation protections butt up against pure economic pressure and desire.
EACH OF THESE and all of these will play a significant role not only in determining the essence of 21st century Alexandria but also in the City's decision-making priorities and its ultimate identity. What is Alexandria and who is Alexandria can play as much a defining role on the City's economic sustainability as the money/development element.
Economic characteristics identified by the Work Group and details of their primary issues will be covered in the next two parts of this series.
And then I read this from the mayors article in the Times:
http://www.alextimes.com/article.asp?article=6997&paper=1&cat=1
Public housing is another issue about which council deliberated last year and which is on council’s agenda when the new session begins. “The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority has a number of challenges, some internal and some external,” Euille said. “We are working with them to develop a public housing plan for all of their properties to ensure that we maintain the current number of public housing units and see that those units are well managed and maintained. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel: cities throughout the country are employing strategies in public housing that work. I met with the mayor of Philadelphia and he is willing to come to Alexandria and meet with us about how Philadelphia has dealt with public housing issues.”
And as I was reading this, some thug or thugs decided to step all over the bushes in my front yard. Apparently this is one of the "external" issues ARHA is dealing with.
From MSNBC.com today"
The anxiety on Wall Street was amplified Thursday when the Commerce Department reported that sales of new homes fell 6.6 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 834,000 units, a much bigger decline than had been expected and the largest percentage drop since sales fell by 12.7 percent in January.
Disappointing results from home builders Pulte Homes and D.R. Horton — squeezed by a sluggish environment from home sales and continued defaults in subprime loans — also weighed heavily on the market.
THIS SEEMS LIKE A GREAT TIME TO BUILD 1400 CONDOES ACROSS THE STREET FROM DYSFUNCTIONAL AND OUT-OF-CONTROL HOUSING PROJECTS.
Its official. I am now starting to drink after reading this article.
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=84876&paper=59&cat=104
Carpenter’s Shelter Resident Murdered
July 19 homicide is the fifth murder of the year, and the third in the Parker Gray neighborhood.
By Michael Lee Pope
July 25, 2007
Michael Lee Pope/Gazette Packet
The parking lot of the Carpenter's Shelter.
The northwest edge of the Parker Gray neighborhood became the scene of a third murder this year on Thursday evening, when a resident of the Carpenter’s Shelter was violently attacked in the parking lot between the homeless shelter and a McDonald’s on the other side of First Street. Police officials acknowledged that a weapon was used in the commission of the crime, although they declined to be specific about what kind of a weapon was involved. The victim was identified Friday afternoon as Ricardo Lloyd Cherry, a 29-year-old Alexandria man who had been staying at the Carpenter’s Shelter for about a month.
"We don’t know much of anything about his background at this point," said Ashley Hilderbrandt, a public-information officer with the Alexandria Police Department. "Our investigators are still looking into all of that."
Police officials say they have identified a potential suspect, although they refused to release a description of the man. Shortly after 8:30 p.m. on July 19, Cherry stumbled into the lobby of the Carpenter’s Shelter seeking assistance for an injury to his upper body. Lt. Jamie Bartlett, a spokesman for the Alexandria Police Department, said that investigators are trying to find witnesses to the altercation outside the Carpenter’s Shelter.
"We are surmising that they had some kind of argument," said Bartlett. "We believe it was a one-on-one fight, although that’s difficult to say without eyewitnesses."
THE PARKER GRAY neighborhood was the scene of a double murder in the early morning hours of April 19. Shortly after 2 a.m. on that date, the Police Department received an emergency call for service from the public-housing complex near the Braddock Road Metro station. One victim was already dead when police arrived, and the other died on the way to the hospital. A 19-year-old resident in a public-housing unit of Chatham Square was arrested several days later, and his trial has now been scheduled for October.
"Over the past few years, we’ve been putting increased resources into this area," said Bartlett, adding that the department has recently increased patrolling and lighting in the neighborhood. "And we’ve made progress."
After the April double murder, Deputy Police Chief Earl Cook came to a City Council meeting and said that the department would soon fill a community officer position that had been vacant since February 2006. Cook now says that filling the position is not a priority because the neighborhood has increased patrolling under the department’s new Strategic Response System. According to Cook, the new staffing system puts more officers on the streets during peak hours in Parker Gray, reducing the need to fill the community officer position that has now been vacant for 16 months.
"Hopefully, we are going to make some decisions about that soon," said Cook. "We are in the process of evaluating that position."
Officials at the Carpenter’s Shelter confirmed that Cherry had been staying at the North Henry Street homeless shelter for about a month, although privacy laws prevent them from sharing anything about his history or background.
"This is a tragedy because we’ve lost one of our own," said Fran Becker, executive director of the Carpenter’s Shelter. "Right now, we are focused on the health and safety of all of our residents."
"Fyi - This congestion is going to stink in plain english, the signs on Fayette and Payne are going to have to come down."
Over our dead bodies and the Growler's if necessary!!!
"Fyi - This congestion is going to stink in plain english, the signs on Fayette and Payne are going to have to come down."
Like hell those signs are coming down. All your whining proves is how ineffective you are at neighborhood problem-solving.
"Like hell those signs are coming down. All your whining proves is how ineffective you are at neighborhood problem-solving."
So your telling me that your Fayette and Payne are more important than our Columbus and Alfred??
I have twice the amount of traffic as you do because of "YOUR" signs, and mark my words, the signs are either going up on our blocks or coming down on yours.
"ineffective you are at neighborhood problem-solving"
Ahhh, Hello? My problem has become the after effect of your solution.
T&ES will see it that way once the traffic studies are done.
The signs were given to you in the past, when they were reasonable.
Its not reasonable anymore, not to the rest of everyone else here in PG.
"Fyi - This congestion is going to stink in plain english, the signs on Fayette and Payne are going to have to come down."
"Over our dead bodies and the Growler's if necessary!!!"
Hey - any chance we can get some of those signs on Alfred and Columbus??
"Over our dead bodies and the Growler's if necessary!!!"
Stop speaking for someone else.
Growler, may we please have YOUR thoughs and not someone elses.
You have always found balance on issues, your help is requested.
"Here, Here! the overflow caused by the bridge diversion of late has dramatically increased the angry lot of foul mouthed drivers heading up Columbus and Alfred back south to whence they came."
My sentiments exactly. traffic of late in this area is out of control!!!
"Like hell those signs are coming down. All your whining proves is how ineffective you are at neighborhood problem-solving."
Here, Here. I don't know know who you are, but it took an act of god to get them and I'm not letting the city take them away.
If you want to problem solve on your street, do what we did.
"If you want to problem solve on your street, do what we did."
Nice try, what you did back then won't work in the new days of traffic congestion. Do you really think that the city is going to put more signs up that will inundate their precious BRT on route 1?
If you have twins, do you give a bicycle to one child and nothing to the other???
Come on folks, what's fair is fair.
"My problem has become the after effect of your solution."
Very well said!!! Nothing more could be closer to the truth.
We complain about fair share in Public Housing, but we can't even compromise in our own neighborhood?
If the signs on Fayette Street and Payne Street came down, traffic would not be "as" (stress on as)backed up on West Street, Columbus Street and Alfred Street.
I totally understand the apprehension of those that live on Fayette and Payne, but we are a neighborhood and should be thinking about whats best for all of us and not just me me me.
If anyone has any ideas to better the situation please let me know. I could pretty much guess that 4 signs would not be able to be enforced by the police, especially when we only have one officer assigned to us.
In re: the traffic signs. I could never figure out how Payne and Fayette got those signs. They only protect two blocks of each street, meaning that the blocks to the south, as well as parallel roads to the east, are wide open to folks cutting through.
There is, insofar as I can tell, no difference between those blocks and the corresponding blocks to the east of Patrick/Henry. So it makes sense that they would at least be considered for a similar proscription.
However, taken to the logical extreme, we could have these signs on every North-South street not named Patrick, Henry, or Washington. Enforcement would be almost out of the question.
Maybe you could but up a gate and charge a toll. Or throw eggs at the cars driving through. Or ask them to pick up some litter as the roll along.
"Maybe you could but up a gate and charge a toll. Or throw eggs at the cars driving through. Or ask them to pick up some litter as the roll along."
Very cute, very funny, but can we get a serious discusion on the topic.
I agree with previous poster. Would the Growler be willing to shed a little insight on the history of the signs, how long ago they were placed up, who was involved and maybe an opinion on where to go from here.
Growler, as I hate to divy work after all you have done for us, I know a little history lesson may help.
No stance needed, that would just drive everyone east and west of our soon to be beloved BRT very upset.
If we don't know our history, how do we move forward?
TAD
People like to talk about the unique, specialty retail on King St, but I think a reality check is in order. Most of these places cater towards the older, richer crowd. The majority of retail there is antiques, and other specialty botique stores -- that all close early. And the restaurants are mostly in the same category -- upscale. How many upscale restaurants can one area support? On a weeknight during the winter, it's a ghost town walking up and down King St at night. How many of us go to King St more than once a week? How many less than that? The fact is, for people who do not eat out regularily at sit-down restaurants, King St offers little retail that is actually needed on a weekly basis.
On a related note, the reader who dreams of a hardware store in this area, dream on. This is not the 1950s anymore. Who is going to open a small, mom-and-pop hardware store today? Especially in this area where the only spaces in the PG area to hold a store of that size will be on the bottom floor of a future condo building with lease rates so high as to make it economically unfeasible. Same goes for any other mom-and-pop joint that people would want. Del Ray Dreamery, etc could not exist here because the lease rates are through the roof.
And say what you will about chains, but the fact of the matter is that this is what people want these days. People go to Clarendon for the Barnes and Noble. It's an anchor more than any other anchor could be.
I personally think that King St needs to diversify. You cannot have only upscale restaurants, upscale botiques that are not open at night, and expect to have a healthy retail economy. I've said it before and I've said it again, this area desperately needs to attract young professionals. They are a key demographic that the Old Town area has completely ignored. And I think the new condos/apartments could be the key to bringing that here. Arlington would not be doing as great as it is today without the young people.
Calm down - I don't think anyone's signs should come down. Far better to push for more signs and demonstrate that the neighborhood AS A WHOLE will not tolerate the City's overdevelopment of our neighborhood and the additional traffic it will generate.
"And I think the new condos/apartments could be the key to bringing that here. Arlington would not be doing as great as it is today without the young people"
But can young professionals put up with the quality of life issues that are epidemic to Parker Gray?
Thats the key question; as a YP, why not just live in DC or Arlington where they dont have to deal with the daily issues that are articulated on this blog?
The restrictions on Fayette have been in place for more than a decade. They were the result of hard work by the community, which proved statistically and conclusively that the thousands of cars on the street back then were directly attributable to Route 1 cutover drivers headed to the Wilson Bridge.
People who are grousing about Columbus and Alfred need to organize and build a similar case first, not seek to tear down what others have already done. That's exactly the wedge the City uses to play divide and conquer in this neighborhood.
Come back when you have done your homework and proved your case with hard data. Otherwise, this discussion is now closed.
"I met with the mayor of Philadelphia and he is willing to come to Alexandria and meet with us about how Philadelphia has dealt with public housing issues.”
I really wonder about our mayor. First he is going to try to pollute King Street with national chains. Now he is meeting with the mayor of Philly. Why is the mayor trying to model Alexandria after Philadelphia, of all places? They have one of the highest murder rates in the country and are fiscally in trouble. Why not contact a city like Portland, Ore. for advice. Philly? Well, it could be worse. He could be meeting with the mayor of Detroit...
"We seem to be headed for an over-supply of condo units in Parker Gray"
Watch them peddle some hotels with valet parking here next...
Whoever is now caring for the "Payne Street Condos" must be on vacation, because there's a huge mess of trash there. The whole thing is already annoying this metro-taker. I gladly called the phone number to let them know to clean it up!! ~Pendleton resident
Post a Comment