| Mark Your Calendar | |
Route 1 Multimodal Transportation Alternatives Analysis Community Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 9, 20136:00 pmSouth County Gov't Center8350 Richmond HighwayAlexandria, VA 22309 |
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| Did You Know? | |
There were once two airports on Richmond Highway before Reagan National was built. Old photos of Beacon Field Airport are on display in Starbucks at Beacon Center.
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Greetings!
Welcome to SFDC's monthly newsletter, and Happy Fall! Enjoy our October edition containing the latest information on what's happening along Richmond Highway. For more details on project updates, check out the "What's Happening" section of our website.
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Bringing "Vibrant Streets" to Richmond Highway
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Review of Last Week's Summit
By Ann Marie Maloney, SFDC Volunteer
Vision and patience are the among the keys to creating vibrant communities that offer residents attractive and
walkable streets where they can run an errand,
have dinner or maybe catch a show or concert. These are among the lessons learned from SFDC's Vibrant Streets Summit.
More surprising is how much retail is needed (less than you think) and the key ingredients that researchers have found are the common elements of a vibrant street. It challenges us to think, what are we willing to do now so that the next generation will see great results? Whatever it is, the groundwork should be laid now. SFDC is looking at next steps to build on the momentum from this great conversation, so keep an eye out for more communications on this.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to attend this event and made it such a successful and interesting discussion. A special thank you to our expert speakers and our generous sponsors, the Hampton Inn and Suites, Cooley LLP and Bowman Consulting.
 | | Steve Bannister discusses The Grande at Huntington
John Tschiderer, Bruce Leonard, Heather Arnold and Steve Bannister at SFDC's Vibrant Streets Summit |
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New Business
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Zinga Frozen Yogurt
A Zinga Frozen Yogurt franchise has opened in the Beacon Center. Because of its location (across the street from our office) and yum my products, it is already a favorite of the SFDC staff.
The newest store brings the number of Zinga franchises in Northern Virginia to 11. As is typical in frozen yogurt stores, the product is self-serve and sold by the ounce. The store offers a dozen yogurt flavors each day and more than 50 toppings. Fruit sorbets are available for those looking for dairy-free options, and a no-sugar-added flavor is offered for anyone counting calories. All of Zinga's flavors meet the National Yogurt Association's "live and active culture yogurt" standard, and they are kosher.
Zinga will hold a Grand Opening Celebration with ribbon cutting by SFDC and the Mount Vernon - Lee Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, October 5 beginning at 11 AM. The first 100 customers get free frozen yogurt.
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What's New in Transportation?
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Road Widening and Buses
September saw public meetings on both the BRAC-related widening of Richmond Highway around Fort Belvoir, and a proposed Bus Transit Center. While the former was mostly informational, the latter created some debate among nearby residents. Supervisors Jeff McKay (Lee) and Gerry Hyland (Mount Vernon) were present and absorbed the comments.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) considered 31 sites for the Bus Transit Center, and has narrowed that down to three. Site A is on the east side of the highway, and includes MCV Video. Site B is on the west side, and encompasses the shopping strip perpendicular to the highway adjacent to Murraygate Apartments, and Site C contains the southern end of the South County Government Center and the title loan property next door.
Because Federal transportation monies are involved, in addition to market value paid for the land, FCDOT will pay to move businesses to other locations. This makes Site C the least expensive for land acquisition, but it is the smallest site, wraps around a child care center and eliminates 167 Government Center parking spaces.
Site B relocates the most businesses, but it can accommodate the greatest number of buses and it has the highest number of bus routes passing by. With the cooperation of Murraygate, owned by the county's Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RHA), the addition of a small recreational amenity may be possible.
Citizen concerns at each site include increased traffic and diesel fumes from idling buses. FCDOT staff responded that bus ridership takes cars off the road and reduces traffic, and, because these buses are under FCDOT control, engines will not be permitted to idle. Neighbors of Site B said they would prefer the county build a soccer field on the site.
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Update on Hidden Business
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Sunflower Florist Relocates Closer to Metro
Sunflower Florist, about which we wrote in our August newsletter, has relocated from the Beacon Center to 5906 North Kings Highway, in the Huntington area. Owner Philip Sun says that the move was prompted by the upcoming expiration of his lease and a rent increase. He is hoping that increased traffic from the Metro station will bring him more business. If you ride Metro and have forgotten that birthday or anniversary gift, stop by Sunflower on your way home!
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