Updated with proposed plan for Option 3

Dog Run now to be
Store/Office complex!

In April of 1998, a committee from our civic association approached the city to slightly modify some under utilized city property so it could be used as a dog run for our park starved neighborhood.

        See image to Right->  

  

Here is a view from Powhatan Street:

Apparently this trigger a need for the city to sell off this property.

The city sent out a request for proposals to buy and develop this land.

A developer has responded and is planning to develop this whole block (green and all three gray parts above) as a strip mall. Draft layouts are below.

Please notice as usual developer drafts do not expose the full picture. Draft proposal does not indicate building material, show parking or how traffic can come / go to this site, how this unit FITS with our neighborhood.

[Edior note: Why do developers feel that can pass such incomplete drafts forward to Alexandria Planning Department or civic associations and expect approval? Have we not learned learned from Cameron Station fiasco?]

 We have had preliminary meetings the developer (Fairchild) and expressed concern that the proposed build structure is not in keeping with the style of our neighborhood.

IF something must go here, we feel something like the Physicans Assistant Building at Powhatan and GW Parkway would be more appropriate than the srtrip mall that is being proposed.

Note: It is brick. It has wide sidewalk and wide setback between street and building. It has nicely hidden parking on ground levels. The have have also bought extra parking in lot across the street.

A presentation will be giving and a vote taken on this
at our Sept 1 Civic Assoc meeting.

There is a Planning Commission Meeting on this item
Sept 7th at 7:30 at City Hall Council Chamber.


Please let them know what you think before this meeting.
 
 

My understanding is this project is on hold pending a review of:

#1. The wisdom of selling the city property that make up the left 2/3 of this development.
    Why sell before Monroe Street Bridge modification are decided.
       Why sell now at pre boom price. Assuming Potomac Yard is a success, this land will significantly increase in value.
       Why sell the last bit of city owed open space as development increases density to significant higher level...????

#2 A Comprehensive development plan for Slater's Lane corridor.

As usual this developer plan fails to show critical information , such as the relationship to the Monroe Street Bridge or the New improved (?) Slater's Lane one way looped pair traffic intersection, But here is a outline of the developers proposed changes which are supposed to elimate our concerns about gateway appearance, traffic flow and general how this will improve our neighborhood.


This page has been accessed 3376  times.