Alexandria

35 Pages·2012·10.61 MB·English

by  Ads Production 7

Alexandria
Wellbeing
Gazette Packet
Page 33
25 Cents
Serving Alexandria for over 200 years • A Connection Newspaper May 3, 2012
Last-Minute Budgeting
A small replica of a
19th century netted
gas balloon floats up City Council members Potential Additions
outside the officer’s hut
haggle over potential ❖ $598,000 for two therapists and a technology specialist for
at Fort Ward Park.
the Community Services Board
❖ $500,000 to expand career ladders and provide promotions
additions to budget.
to city employees
❖ $400,000 to increase salaries for public-safety agencies
❖ $172,000 to restore a child care fee subsidy
❖ $125,000 to add school-based preschool class serving 16 4-
By Michael Lee Pope year-olds
Gazette Packet ❖ $532,000 for traffic calming measures discontinued in 2008
H ❖ $65,000 to offset lost state funding for the teen clinic at T.C.
Williams High School
old your wallet. The Alexandria City ❖ $50,000 to restore library hours cut during the downturn
❖ $96,000 to expand the holiday lights along King Street year-
Council is putting the final touches on
round
the budget for fiscal year 2013, and the ❖ $83,000 to restore an advertising campaign of the
long list of priorities could mean more Alexandria Economic Development Partnership
❖ $70,000 to restore reservation services for the Senior Taxi
taxes.
program
At issue is City Manager Rashad Young’s $585.6 ❖ $57,000 for a full-time family support worker as part of the
million budget proposal, unveiled on Valentine’s Day. Healthy Families Alexandria
❖ $9,000 to fund a position to provide services though the
The proposal represented a 3.3 percent increase from
city’s gang-intervention program
last year’s budget, pumping $18.7 million more into
the annual operating fund. Now City Council mem- As council members move toward their final bud-
bers are considering a list of potential additions. Even get adoption next week, the question of how much
without raising the tax rate, the average residential of a burden city taxpayers should bear will be at the
property taxpayer would already pay $52 more than
last year. See Council, Page 30
May Day at City Hall
Civil War
Democratic primary puts heat on incumbents and
former incumbents.
Balloon Corps
P
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By Michael Lee Pope o
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Gazette Packet o
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eenactors at Fort Ward Museum and Park portrayed the ector Pineda is one of ic
Union forces’ special military reconnaissance team, the thousands of residents h
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Balloon Corps on April 28. The program featured a who live in the sprawl- l
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reenactor portraying period aeronaut Thaddeus Lowe, and a ing series of garden apartments on e
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partially inflated netted gas balloon. the city’s West End, which has P
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been one of the last remaining p
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Photos by Louise Krafft/Gazette Packet /
spots in the city for low-income G
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residents. Pineda says his family z
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income is $43,000, well under the t
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average median income. That’s P
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why he and many of his neighbors ck
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are organizing this campaign sea- t
son against the city’s plan to de- Hector Pineda, center right, holds a sign to protest a plan
molish the building he lives and by developer JBG to demolish the building he lives in as
allow a developer to more than part of a redevelopment plan that would more than
double the allowable density. Ap- double the allowable density.
pearing at a May Day rally in Mar-
ket Square, Pineda says members
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www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 3-9, 2012 ❖ 1
2 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 3-9, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Week in Alexandria
Knuckling Down
Saving the Queen’s Throne
Councilman Paul Smedberg and Councilwoman Alicia
Hughes clashed repeatedly this week about when and how coun-
cil members should consider a proposal to add Sunday deliveries
for Meals on Wheels. The disagreement grew so heated that Mayor
Fifth graders
Bill Euille had to gavel the meeting back to order.
“We’re getting a bit hot under the collar,” said Euille. “We prob- mount successful
ably need to call it a night.”
But they didn’t call it a night. In fact, the contentious budget petition drive.
work session lasted another 45 minutes. The two continued to quar-
rel about a dispute dating back to last year, when Hughes asked for
By Meghan Philbin
a $57,000 appropriation to fund deliveries for Meals on Wheels
Gazette Packet
program on Sundays. Council members balked at considering a F
budget request outside the budget process, and the effort was tabled.
or the 5th grade class of
This year, Hughes asked for a $60,000 appropriation to fund the
George Mason Elemen-
same program as part of the budget process. But during a Monday
tary School, the tree
night meeting at City Hall, Smedberg said she should have requested
stump by the edge of the
a budget memorandum on the issue.
playground is more than a re-
“With all due respect, Paul,” responded Hughes. “A year ago when
minder of the tree that once stood.
you voted …”
To them, it is known as “the
“You should have put in a budget memo,” interjected Smedberg.
Queen’s throne.”
“Excuse me,” responded Hughes.
Through their imagination, this
“You should have put in a budget memo,” said Smedberg repeat-
stump is transformed into the cen-
ing himself.
ter of an elaborate game where,
The two began talking over one another, and Hughes said that
according to Emma Hathaway, “a
Smedberg was “out of order.” The mayor moved the discussion to
queen makes speeches” to the vari-
the next item, which was an effort by Councilman Rob Krupicka
ous tribes of her kingdom. While
to create a new city employee to keep track of the school system’s
on a typical day the Queen sits
budget. Euille pointed out that Krupicka hadn’t asked for a budget
atop her throne uncontested, last
memo on the item.
week this schoolyard pastime was P
“This is the second example of something that has been pointed ho
to for which there was no formal request,” said Hughes, adding threatened, causing five 5th grade to
that she would support the measure. “Nevertheless, we are not girls to set out to protect it. by
getting the same outrage or uproar over the fact that this is being Students Emma Hathaway, Lo
Marty Christino, Bridget Williams, u
requested.” Caroline Simmons, and Reese ise
“Well no one is supporting it,” said Smedberg. K
Hardman took immediate action r
“I’m supporting it,” responded Hughes, prompting the mayor to a
when, during recess, they saw a f
use his knuckles as a gavel again. ft
SavATree crew removing similar /
G
tree stumps from the school’s a
Obamacare in Alexandria z
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property. t
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Even though the U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering the Within minutes the group de- e P
fate of President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, federal offi- vised a plan to save their throne. ac
k
Under the guidance of their teacher, e
cials are still moving forward with the healthcare overhaul. And one t
Regina Freed, Marty and Caroline George Mason Elementary School students: Emma
Alexandria organization stands to gain half a million dollars.
used their lunch period immediately Hathaway, Marty Christino, Bridget Williams, Caroline
This week, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen
following recess to write a letter to Simmons and Reese Hardman came together last Thurs-
Sebelius announced eight Virginia community health centers are
school principal Kevin West. In the day at recess and over lunch drafted and typed a letter
getting $16.7 million in federal funding to help pay for capital im-
letter, the two girls expressed the and gathered three pages of schoolmates signatures to
provements. One of the centers is the Alexandria Neighborhood
importance of the tree stump, ex- save a tree trunk on the perimeter of the playing field at
Health Services, which is located in Arlandria. The center will re-
plaining that it lets “our imagina- the school.
ceive a $495,000 from the Affordable Health Care Act, which pro-
tions fly.” Meanwhile, Emma,
vides $9.5 billion to expand services in five years and $1.5 billion
Bridget, and Reese went around the hands to see that the throne not In the letter to their principal,
to pay for construction and renovation of the centers.
school collecting nearly three pages be removed. The girls did not have the girls testified that the Queen’s
“For many Americans, community health centers are the major
of signatures on a petition protest- to wait long to discover its fate. throne had “inspired poems,
source of care that ranges from prevention to treatment of chronic
ing the stump’s removal. By the end of the school day, news games, and stories.” Thanks to
diseases,” said Sebelius in a written statement. “This investment
After only 30 minutes the deter- had reached Marty who was in their efforts, this source of inspi-
will expand our ability to provide high-quality care to millions of
mined group of girls managed to aftercare, that because of their fast ration will continue to motivate
people while supporting good paying jobs in communities across
gain the support of the school’s action, the stump would survive students for many more recesses
the country.”
administration, leaving it in their to see another day. to come.
Blue Gold
Google Unveils Local Student’s Entry
It’s official. The Alexandria Police Department is gold, or at least
their headquarters is. This week, the Green Building Certification
Institute awarded gold certification in its Leadership in Energy and Emily Powell named
Environmental Design program. The LEED certification was
awarded to recognize that the building was designed and con- finalist in national Doodle
structed using strategies that achieve high performance in sustain-
able site design, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selec- 4 Google contest.
tion and indoor environmental quality. A
City officials say the police headquarters was designed to attain lexandria City Public Schools fifth-grader
more than 30 percent energy savings with high-efficient glazing, Eileen Powell was selected as a state winner
occupancy sensors and energy-efficient mechanical equipment. The in the annual Doodle 4 Google Contest.
building’s bioretention ponds were also recognized, allowing the Google representatives announced the news Wednes-
stormwater to be filtered before draining into the ground. The head- day, May 2 at George Mason Elementary School and
quarters also has a 30,000-gallon irrigation tank to collect and re- unveiled Eileen’s “doodle” to her peers.
use stormwater for irrigation. More than 114,000 students nationwide entered Vote for Eileen Powell’s entry in the
— Michael Lee Pope See Google Contest, Page 29
Doodle 4 Google Contest through May 10.
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 3-9, 2012 ❖ 3
Alexandria/Old Town
121 N. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-549-8700
www.weichert.com
Visit Us at Weichert.com for a full Listing of Properties.
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Alexandria/Del Ray $449,900 Alexandria/Del Ray $649,000 Alex./Rosemont $795,000
2 BR/1 BA Fabulous brick town house in Alexandria’s vibrant 2 BR/2.5 BA Beautiful detached Del Ray farmhouse features 4 BR/2.5 BA Gorgeous detached Colonial in Rosemont features hardwood
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4 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 3-9, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
Photos by Jeanne Theismann/Gazette Packet
Members of St. Rita’s Daisy Scout Troop
lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the pre-
Retired Marine Major and Alexandria
race dinner April 27 at the DoubleTree
resident Van Brinson is the director of the
Hotel in Crystal City.
Face of America bike ride.
‘Who Says I Can’t?’
Face of America ride inclusive events for disabled citizens and wounded
warriors.
honors disabled veterans.
“All of our events are designed to combine able
bodied individuals with people with disabilities,” said
Alexandria resident and retired
By Jeanne Theismann Marine Major Van Brinson, chief
Gazette Packet operations officer of World
T
T.E.A.M. Sports and director of the
hey came from across ride. “When able bodied individu-
the country, gathering als ride alongside someone with a
before dawn in the disability, it really changes their
shadow of the Penta- perception of what that person can
gon to begin a two-day journey to accomplish.”
honor the sacrifices of America’s Another Alexandria resident
wounded warriors and gain a bet- among this year’s riders was Gen.
ter understanding of people with Robert Magnus (ret.), the former
disabilities Assistant Commandant of the Ma-
“This is our second year partici- rine Corps who was participating
pating in Face of America,” said in his fifth Face of America week-
Timra Stump, a member of the end.
“Who Says I Can’t?” team that was “I started as a speaker five years
making the 110-mile trek to ago and have been a rider ever
Gettysburg in honor of Jothy Alexandria resident Gen. since,” said Magnus, who cel-
Rosenberg, an amputee rider and Robert Magnus (ret.), ebrated his 65th birthday the
cancer survivor. “Jothy couldn’t be former Assistant Comman- morning of the ride. “I never take
with us this year due to an infec- dant of the Marine Corps, for granted how fortunate I am to
tion from a recent surgery but he recites the Pledge of Alle- live and enjoy the liberties of the
is still an inspiration to all of us giance prior to the start of greatest nation on earth.”
riding today.” the 2012 Face of America Presented by Capital One, Face
Stump’s 58-member team joined bike ride April 28. of America sponsors included
more than 500 other riders April American Portfolios, General Elec-
28 to participate in the 10th annual Face of America tric, Revolution Cycles, Subway of the Bethesda Na-
bike ride that included disabled and able bodied vet- val Hospital, Veterans Corps, Penske Truck Rentals
erans, servicemen and civilians on bicycles, hand and Booz Allen Hamilton.
cycles and recumbents. “This is just an amazing event for us to be a part
“What our service members have done for us is of,” said Booz Allen team member Eli Hertz. “We have
outstanding,” said World T.E.A.M. Sports CEO Paul 51 riders and 55 volunteers. From registration to the
Tyler. “We do this to show our thanks to our veter- finish line and every mile along the way, there will
ans for putting their lives on the line for us.” be a Booz Allen volunteer doing this as a tribute to
The annual Face of America ride is managed by our wounded warriors.”
World T.E.A.M. [The Exceptional Athlete Matters]
Sports, a 20-year-old not-for-profit that organizes See Ride, Page 14
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 3-9, 2012 ❖ 5
News
Got Food?
Stamp Out Hunger
Food Drive set
for May 12.
T
he nation’s largest single-day
food drive will take place on
Saturday, May 12, when postal
workers in Alexandria will join
others across the country in the 20th an-
nual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. C
o
Last year’s drive brought in more than 70 u
r
million pounds of food nationwide, raising te
s
the total to 1.1 billion pounds of food col- y p
h
lected since the drive began in 1992. o
t
To participate in this year’s drive, place o
/
bags of non-perishable food items by N
A
your mail box before your mail is deliv- L
C
ered May 12. Donations can also be April Cobb, Bob Frazier, Brian
dropped off at local post office branches McCormick help collect food for
throughout the city. ALIVE! at the Parkfairfax Post Office
Donations of non-perishable food, includ- as part of the Stamp Out Hunger
ing pet food, will be distributed by the let- Food Drive. This year’s drive takes
ter carriers to local shelters and food banks place May 12.
such as ALIVE!
Official sponsors of this year’s drive are age and AARP.
the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Asso- For more information, visit
ciation, Campbell Soup Company, Valpak, www.helpstampouthunger.com.
U.S. Postal Service, United Way, AFLCIO,
Feeding America, Uncle Bob’s Self- Stor- — Jeanne Theismann
6 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 3-9, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
People
On the Campaign Trail
Politics and Paychecks
Politicians are always squeamish about raising their own salaries,
especially when the budget season is closely tied to an election. For
many years that was the case in Alexandria, where the election took
place weeks after council members approved a budget. But after
the Democrats lost two seats in 2009, the lame-duck council aban-
doned the longstanding practice and moved the election to Novem-
ber when they can piggyback off of high-profile state and national
races. That doesn’t mean that the budget season has become any
less political.
Take this week, when City Council members were once again con-
sidering giving themselves a raise. The last time the issue was de-
bated was in late 2005, when Councilman Andrew Macdonald
wanted to increase the salary of council members to $40,000. Lt. Thomas Fulham and
“I have some reservations about this because we’re asking staff to Terra White.
dig incredibly deep into the budget of the city to find places for
savings,” said Councilman Rob Krupicka at the time. “While we’re Photos by Louise Krafft/
asking them to look hard and fast for pennies, we should be willing Cathy and Cynthia Puskar, center, browse the tables of Gazette Packet
to look hard and fast for pennies ourselves.” silent auction items at the Scholarship Fund of Alexan-
Now things have changed. Krupicka is not seeking election to the dria 2012 Gala reception on Saturday, April 28.
next City Council, which would receive the higher salaries if ap-
proved. So he’s proposing that the mayor’s salary increase from
$25,000 to $30,500 and council member salaries increase from
$20,000 to $27,500.
“One of the concerns I have is how many other good people are
out there in the community who might want to run for the City
Council if the salary was a little bit more,” said Councilman Frank
Fannon. “Would we have more people running for City Council?
We do have a lot now.”
“Some of them might be able to pay their taxes,” said Vice Mayor
Kerry Donley, referring to late tax payments recently made by
Democratic candidate Boyd Walker.
The Arlandria Vote ACPS superintendent Julie Carey and Elynn Chair of the Scholarship
Morton Sherman and T.C. Simons. Fund board of directors
Opponents of a massive new redevelopment at Mount Vernon Vil- Williams principal Suzanne Jeff McQuilkin and Mayor
lage Center have long memories, and they’re hoping that voters will Maxey. Bill Euille.
also remember what happened in December. That’s when a major-
Gathering To Support Scholarship Fund
ity of council members approved a development special-use permit
critics say will gentrify the neighborhood.
During a public hearing on the issue, many residents said they
feared a new high-end development would raise rents nearby or
worse, create redevelopment pressure on the low-income housing
units. Others said they felt their voices weren’t heard during the
process. Most of the City Council members set aside those concerns.
Not Councilman Alicia Hughes. She suggested that a work group
be formed similar to the waterfront work group so that residents
who felt ignored could make their case.
“Let people come to the table and feel as though they are heard,”
Hughes said at the time.
Other members disagreed, and her motion to create a work group
failed to get a second member to support it. Hughes was the lone
dissenting vote on the project, although Arlandria-based Tenants
and Workers United director Gabriel Rojo says her efforts are
remembered in the community. “We need elected officials who are
the champion of working people,” said Rojo during a May Day rally
in Market Square. “That just doesn’t exist right now except for maybe
Alicia Hughes, who’s a Republican.”
Wood Enters Race
Josephine Torrente and
Michele Butler. City council member Frank Fannon, Marcy Covarrubias
As if the controversial waterfront plan weren’t already one of the and Richard Downs.
hottest topics this campaign season, Lt. Gen. Bob Wood is throw-
ing his hat into the ring as a Republican candidate for the Alexan-
dria City Council. As a member of the waterfront work group, Wood
was one of the most outspoken critics of the city’s controversial
waterfront plan that increases allowable density at three sites slated
for redevelopment. Last month, he attended the Board of Zoning
Appeals meeting and spoke out against Planning Director Faroll
Hamer’s decision to reject a petition submitted by neighborhood
residents. Now he’s taking his concerns directly to the voters.
“We are excited,” said Republican chairman Tom Fulton. “It
speaks to the level of concern people have about leadership in this
city.” Wood is the third Republican to announce for the six City Coun- Mark Mitlee and Wendy
cil seats. The Republican canvas is on June 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Ed Donahue.
at Minnie Howard Eighth Grade Center. David and Marcia Speck Gala co-chairs Jeff
— Michael Lee Pope
look over the catalog of McQuilkin and Kathy
auction items. Conrad.
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 3-9, 2012 ❖ 7
Potomac Yard
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Construction for the South Potomac Yard development. Sites of the future dog park and family recreation area.
Building from East Glebe Road to Monroe Avenue Bridge
After delays, construction on 164-acre part to finish by 2020.
By Nicholas Horrock south from the Target store parking lot mid-2000s due to the softening economic On the right as a motorist drives north is
Gazette Packet along the rail lines to an area on the west environment. It was begun in earnest in a project of town homes and condomini-
Second in a three-part series about Potomac Yard side of Braddock Station. 2009 and Pulte expects to finish in 2019 or ums. New buildings are going up each day,
W
development. The land was bought in 2004 by Pulte 2020, he said. part of the some 1,300 residences that Pulte
atching the Potomac Yard Homes and later developed under the aus- is building. The town homes in this hous-
project unfold is an amaz- pices of Pulte Homes and Centex, two na- TO PREPARE the site, there had to be an ing sell for $700,000 and the condomini-
ing and captivating activity. tional home building companies. They are enormous movement of earth, Collins said. ums go for $400,000. Pulte has not put a
Everyday motorists driving now merged into Pulte Group, which is The rail bed of the old Potomac Rail Yards price on residences it is building in other
north and south on Route 1 near the Mon- building about two thirds of the south was some 10 feet below the surface of the parts of the project.
roe Avenue Bridge can see the changes go- Potomac Yard project, stretching from East Route 1 and Pulte has trucked in some Collins said that by the first week of Feb-
ing on all around them. Glebe Road to the Monroe Avenue Bridge. 500,000 cubic feet of earth to level the area. ruary Pulte has sold 42 condominiums and
The lower half of the 300-acre project, Stephen Collins, director of entitlement As it has laid sewers, drains and built streets 14 town houses. In fact, the first town home
some 164 acres, is under construction and for Pulte Group, said the project was to go and roads, the giant mountains of earth are
has been on and off since 2004. It stretches forward in 2005, but was delayed in the slowly being reduced. See Residential, Page 9
From Superfund Site to South Potomac Yard Development
EPA, State supervised original cleanup.
gallon above ground tanks. “Surface spills, termed “bottom ash” or “coal ash.” This by-
releases from underground tanks, and run- product of burning coal “was simply
By Nicholas Horrock yard on the East Coast. In its heyday, hun- off from repair and maintenance activities dumped on the ground,” said the Pulte re-
Gazette Packet dreds of trains and rail cars daily passed contributed to subsurface petroleum con- port. It contained metal concentrations
T through the yard. tamination beneath large portions of the “above normal background levels.” Accord-
he Potomac Yard was initially In the days of the steam engine, accord- Potomac Yard site,” ECS reported. ing to ECS “cinder ballast” is in soils
cleared of environmental contami- ing to William Skrabak, the deputy direc- Early on, the EPA cleared a 50-acre por- throughout the 295-acre site.
nants under the Environmental tor of Alexandria’s Transportation and En- tion of Potomac Yard in Arlington and it has In 1995, EPA ordered the railroad to be-
Protection Agency’s “accelerated Superfund vironmental Services Department, it was the been partially developed. gin a cleanup of the yard from East Glebe
cleanup site,” according to a report issued practice of train crews to shovel the coal In 1991, the Richmond, Fredericksburg Road to the Monroe Avenue Bridge. In
in 2004. ash from the steam engines and spread it & Potomac Railroad, at EPA’s request, did 2004, the EPA reported this work had been
In 1987, when the Richmond, on the tracks. an environmental assessment of the central completed.
Fredericksburg & Potomac decided to end Later when diesel engines came into operations of the site. “All work has been completed at this site.
the rail operation, the EPA identified vogue, the old Potomac Yard had giant tanks “The most elevated levels of this contami- EPA’s requirements made the site safe for
Potomac Yard “as a potential threat to hu- of diesel oil and refueled engines in the nation are contained in Landbay’s G and H, people and the environment. By closing and
man health and the environment.” Early yard. Skrabak said in an era when environ- where the Central Operations facilities were re-grading existing outfalls and re-routing
assessments found metals in the soils “above mental damage caused little concern there located,” Pulte quoted EPA findings. Those stormwater drains to the Four Mile Run,
health-based levels” and cancer-causing was leakage from the tanks and diesel waste two Landbays form what is called “Town threats to the ecology were removed,” said
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other from the refueling process. Center” and are being developed by MRP an EPA report.
dangerous organic compounds. One report done by ECS, an environmen- and JBG, a joint venture of two develop- “EPA found that all the work required by
Before redevelopment of Potomac Yard, tal risk assessment firm, retained by the ment companies. the Order has been satisfactorily completed
for nearly 100 years the 350-acre tract was Pulte Group, said the yard had some eight The other contaminant is what is some- with the exception of the continuous obli
the largest rail transfer point and train work underground tanks and four large 25,000 times called “cinder ballast,” but is also See Environmental Page 9
8 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 3-9, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Potomac Yard
Environmental
From Page 8
Residential
gation for a stormwater-monitoring
program, which continues,” the
agency reported.
Development
According to Skrabak’s office,º“The
entire yard was characterized and
remediated where necessary. That
From Page 8
being said, the original 1995 risk as-
sessment expected that additional
was occupied in October, he said.
remediation, soil management and
On the left as a motorist going north
health and safety practices would be
leaves the Monroe Avenue Bridge, there is
implemented as needed during future
a fenced area of green grass surrounded by
redevelopment to maintain a level of
newly planted trees.
no significant risk and address the
The grass has been sodded and sodded
contamination remaining on site.”
again; rolled and trimmed. These are new
Skrabak’s office said in an email
soccer fields that Pulte laid out and will give
statement that the Virginia Depart-
to the City of Alexandria when the project
ment of Environmental Quality “was
is complete.
involved and completed their regula-
Why has the soccer field been planted and
tory oversight of the original
manicured with such care?
remediation of the petroleum-im-
“Because we don’t want a sea of mud
pacted central operation area, which
when playing starts,” said Gwen Wright,
was used as a locomotive repair, main-
chief of Alexandria’s development division.
tenance and refueling area.
Under its agreement with the city, she said,
“VDEQ is still involved in oversee-
Pulte has funded a range of public improve-
ing this block as the developer has
ments including the Monroe Avenue Bridge,
enrolled in the Voluntary Remediation
several parks, play grounds and scenic pools
Program, which is administered by
and ponds. It will contribute $3 million to
VDEQ, to address remaining petro-
the city’s affordable housing program.
leum-impacted soil that will be en-
Collins said the pools serve a second func-
countered during redevelopment at
tion of collecting sediment and reducing
depths previously left undisturbed.”
phosphorous and nitrogen. The main park
Throughout much of this cleanup,
is being built along the east side of the de-
the ultimate use of the land was not
velopment from roughly the line of the Tar-
known. Now homes, playgrounds and
get store’s parking lot south to the Morris
offices are being constructed on the
Avenue Bridge.
property, which means residents and
Collins calls it a “world class park” that
workers will have much more exposure
will have running and walking trails, play-
to contaminants if they still exist.
grounds for children, small areas to sit and
Throughout the other cleanups, the
enjoy watching the trains go by and a se-
Alexandria authorities under Skrabak
ries of ponds and physical work out stations.
had monitored the cleanup. “As with
It also has a filtration system buried un-
all development or redevelopment par-
der the surface. The park will be open to
cels in the City, the individual devel-
the public as well as to Potomac Yard resi-
opment blocks within Potomac Yard
dents.
require an updated site characteriza-
Pulte is responsible for building a street
tion report, a risk assessment, a
system within the south project. Some
remediation/soil management plan
streets will be a continuation of streets from
and a health and safety plan to be sub-
the west of Route 1 like Custis Avenue. Pulte
Interiors of the 3-bedroom townhouse model for the South Potomac mitted and approved prior to plan ap-
is building a new street, Main Street, which
Yard development. proval. These plans direct the contrac-
will run south from East Glebe Road, un-
tor regarding environmental issues
der the Monroe Avenue Bridge along the
during construction as overseen by City
rail tracks south to form a cul-de-sac just
Inspectors and DEQ staff,” Skrabak’s
west of the Braddock Road Metrorail Sta-
office said in an email statement.
tion.
The fact that Pulte is currently sell-
ing homes in a portion of the south
PULTE PLANS to build 66 town houses,
Potomac Yard, Skrabak said, means
58 condominiums and 275 rental apart-
the area has been certified as safe.
ments on 17.5 acre site south of the Mon-
Pulte Group which has sold homes
roe Avenue Bridge and west of the Braddock
on its south Potomac Yard site asks
Road Metro Station.
buyers to sign an acknowledgement
There will also be a small retail store area
that they know about the environmen-
and a dog exercise park. Several members
tal contamination. Skrabak said Alex-
of Delray and other citizen groups testified
andria encourages developers to ad-
at a hearing last year that the parking for
vise people about conditions and his-
this area is not adequate and could produce
tory of a site.
a problem if motorists seek to park in side
When the original EPA cleanup was
streets in Delray.
underway, public hearings disclosed
There is already a city dog exercise area
concern in nearby neighborhoods of Del
across Monroe Avenue from the Pulte site.
Ray, Hume and St. Elmo. But according
Pulte has responsibility to remove two
to Joe Bondi, head of a home owners’
bridges on Four Mile Run.
group in Lynhaven, when he reviewed
Pulte only builds homes and sold off Land
plans as part of a public advisory group,
Bay G to another developer and later sold
there was little concern mentioned over
750,000 square feet of land in the Land Bay
environmental dangers.
H. Stephen Collins and two sales persons review the South Potomac Yard
developments.
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 3-9, 2012 ❖ 9
Opinion
Alexandria
Gazette Packet
City Against
www.AlexandriaGazette.com
Its Residents? @AlexGazette
An independent, locally owned weekly
To the Editor: newspaper delivered
to homes and businesses.
The City of Alexandria has announced that Published by
it will appeal the ruling by the Board of Zon- Local Media Connection LLC
ing Appeals (BZA) that the Planning Director 1606 King Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
overstepped her bounds by denying a citizen
petition opposing the Waterfront Plan. This Free digital edition delivered to
your email box. Go to
proves once again how haywire things have P connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe
gotten in our town. ho
t
This action provides the spectacle of city of- o NEWS DEPARTMENT:
faigcaiainlss tu as icnigti zteanx pbaoyaerrd mwohnoe wy etroe sgtoa ntdoi ncgo uurpt by Je To discCuaslls: i7de0e-3ma-s7a ia7ln8:-d9 4co1n0cerns,
a [email protected]
for the rights of Alexandria citizens, all of them n
n
taxpayers. To make matters more expensive, e T EdSittoerv, e7n0 3M-7a7u8r-9e4n15
the Council apparently does not h [email protected]
e
Letters trust our City Attorney and his of- ism Michael Lee Pope
fice to do the job in court and thus an Reporter, 703-615-0960
n [email protected]
the city will hire outside counsel / @MichaelLeePope
G
for the work. a
z Jeanne Theismann
e
The City’s press release suggests that if the t 703-778-9436
BZA ruling stands, supermajorities would be te P jtheismann@@TcohneinsemcatinonnMneewdisapapers.com
needed any time a text amendment is pro- ac
k Steve Hibbard
posed. That plainly is a red herring. No one et Associate Editor, 703-778-9412
will think of going to all the work and trouble Honoring Heroes [email protected]
of an appeals petition for the normal text Jon Roetman
amendment. The text amendment in the Wa- American Legion volunteers Russ Crager, Jay Palermino and Steve Artley jroetmSpaonr@tsc Eondniteocr,t i7o0n3n-e2w2s4p-3ap0e1r5s.com
terfront Plan, by contrast, opened up the area hand a flyer with information on the Heroes of Post 24 project to Ralph @jonroetman
involved to massive development that bypassed Timmons at Market Square April 28. The Legion will host a Cinco de Louise Krafft
normal rezoning processes. Since many resi- Mayo fundraiser for the project, a documentary to preserve history Photographer
[email protected]
dents were strongly opposed to the Plan and through a series of interviews with local veterans. The event, which will
did the hard work to get signatures, a include screenings of the documentary, is open to the public and will ADVERTISING:
supermajority vote was appropriate. take place May 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Post 24, 400 Cameron St. Suggested For advertising information
e-mail:
City’s statement also contends that this move donation is $8. Refreshments will be served and DVDs will be available [email protected]
to the courts is “for the good of the entire city.” for purchase. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/
Julie Ferrill
That also is questionable. The reversed Plan- TheHeroesOfPost24. Display Advertising, 703-778-9446
[email protected]
ning Director rulings, if they had been allowed
to stand, would have vitiated in important ways It’s Time for dates who think differently. Ms Menjivar and Display AdJvaenrteis Hinug,g 7h0e3s-778-9448
the ability of citizens in other parts of Alexan- Ms. Moshenberg have actually been working [email protected]
dria to make use of City code provisions that Real Change
to support the lives of the underrepresented Tara Lloyd
allow 20 percent of adjacent landowners to Display Advertising, 703-778-9447
communities here in Alexandria to give them
[email protected]
force a supermajority vote on a re-zoning. The To the Editor:
a voice. Arthur Peabody seems to understand
good of the entire city was served by the BZA, I’m generally a Democrat, but in Alexandria Andrea Smith
that development without much thought for Classified Advertising, 703-778-9411
not by the City’s going to court. the Democrats that run the City now might as the future — or citizens — is not worth a great [email protected]
In short, the City Council and City Staff once well be just developers. Mayor Bill Euille is an
deal. Allison Silberberg recognizes as unfair Debbie Funk
again have set themselves against the people 18-year member of the Council and a devel- National Sales
the treatment of the taxi cab drivers by a City
703-778-9444
who put them in office and pay their salaries. oper who invests in local restaurants. Vice government more used to hobnobbing with the [email protected]
The discontent rising among Alexandrians, as Mayor Kerry Donley works for a bank that in-
real power brokers and big campaign donors
evident in the numbers of lawsuits and other vests in local developments. The June 12 pri- than those who struggle to pay rent. Boyd Publisher
actions to which citizens have been forced to mary offers residents their first chance to elect Jerry Vernon
Walker has fought hard to preserve [email protected]
resort, marks a city out of kilter. Alexandria Democrats who are truly progressive, who ac-
Alexandria’s history and is not under the thumb
Editor & Publisher
officials need to get in touch with the people, tually think that good government means lis- of special interests. Mary Kimm
not haul them into court and, for the privilege, tening to all your constituents. 703-778-9433
Please join with me on June 12 to vote for [email protected]
ask them to pick up the check. Sean Holihan supports many important Menjivar, Moshenberg, Peabody, Walker, and @MaryKimm
causes but not those of citizens who oppose
Silberberg. Editor in Chief
Jack Sullivan developments that will damage their neighbor- Steven Mauren
Art/Design:
Alexandria hoods, like the waterfront and Beauregard Anne Peterson Laurence Foong, John Heinly,
plans. Justin Wilson and Tim Lovain were on John Smith
Production Manager:
Able To Be the Council when the City invited the mon- Appreciates Jean Card
strous, revenue-draining BRAC-133 to Alexan- Geovani Flores
Heard After All
dria, regardless of its location. They are trans- BZA Decision Editor Emeritus:
Mary Anne Weber
portation experts and must think that it’s quite
To the Editor:
OK if the taxpayers of Alexandria lose millions To the Editor:
Since my letter was printed in Alexandria CIRCULATION: 703-778-9427
of tax dollars paying for expensive (and not Excellent reporting as usual by Michael Lee Circulation Manager:
Gazette titled “Another Done Deal”, April 26, well thought out) transit projects using a form Pope in April 18 edition of Alexandria Gazette. Ann Oliver
[email protected]
the Transportation Commission has decided to
of legalized gambling called tax increment fi- We agree with the decision by Alexandria BZA
allow for public comments at their regular
nancing. that the City Planning Department ignored the A Connection Newspaper
meeting on Wednesday, May 2 regarding the
Mr. Chapman seems quite willing to accept plain language of its own zoning code and used
Beauregard Small Area Plan — with much pres- The Alexandria Gazette Packet is
most of the current development policies in creative interpretations “as a ruse to avoid distributed weekly to selected homes in the
sure from the community and only one mem- City of Alexandria.
exchange for the support of the incumbent public participation.” Any owners or occupants of premises that
ber of City Council, Councilwoman Alicia mayor. Del Pepper has been on the Council 27 My wife and I have lived in the West End in do not wish to receive the paper can notify
the publisher by telephone at 703-917-
Hughes, intervening for us.
years and now votes in lockstep with the Mayor. 6480 or by email to
[email protected],
Paul Smedberg also supports the development and the distributor will be notified to
Annabelle Fisher discontinue service.
policies of the current Democrat majority. See Letters, Page 11
The good news is that there are a few candi-
10 ❖ Alexandria Gazette Packet ❖ May 3-9, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com