December 2020 Newsletter

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DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

 

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No December Meeting Instead, please take part in the Pentagon City Planning Study Workshop #2 Wednesday, Dec. 9 6:00-8:00 p.m. Info and registration: https://bit.ly/pc-planning-study This Planning Study will be used to determine how PC will develop in the coming years, and how that will affect the surrounding neighborhoods. Your input is invaluable and greatly appreciated!

 
 

Winter Lights Walk at the Park 100% Solar Powered

While AHCA cannot host our popular holiday social this year, volunteers have been busy at Virginia Highlands Park near the Hearts (Joyce & 15th St) making it extra special for our community by installing a 100% solar powered Winter Walk of Lights! And starting this weekend, visitors can also write their gratitude or wishes on mini hearts hanging in the park.

This art display can be enjoyed throughout the winter, typically starting at dusk and lasting until at least 7pm. Sunnier days, the solar lights will stay on much longer.

The light display includes:
a heartful display on the fence * shadow puppet theater for all ages * color changing snowflake path * winter white tree grove * colorful wreaths * add your wishes to mini hearts

Encouraging renewable energy usage and creating community spaces is part of our Livability22202.org effort. Thank you volunteers for making this happen. And thank you also to JBG Smith and the National Landing BID for your continued support of community activities at the park.

 
 

Miracle on 23rd Street

Melwood continues tradition on Dec 4 with Santa riding atop a fire truck around the local 23rd St. neighborhood between 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. before returning to Melwood for a virtual tree lighting ceremony. (no gathering due to COVID-19 guidelines). https://bit.ly/miracle23rd

22202 Holiday Lights – Enter & Win Prizes

For the second year running, the 22202 Holiday Lights competition returns, sponsored by Geva and Jane Real Estate, Extreme Pizza, and National Landing BID, with more categories and prizes. Entry and voting at http://22202HolidayLights.com and social media @22202HolidayLights. Deadline to register is Dec 13; winners announced Dec 19.

Neighbor Brightens Up the Season

Wear a mask and stop outside the Gaffneys house at the corner of 22nd and Ives for a 25 minute Holiday Music Light Show to benefit the Arlington Food Assistance Center. 7pm Dec 4- 6, 11-13, 17th-Jan 1. https://bit.ly/gaffneys

Make a Difference, Recycle & Reduce Clutter

Amazon’s Give-Back Box makes it easy. Send gently used clothing & household items back to Amazon in one of its boxes with a free label, and they will distribute it to a partner charity. Or you can direct your donations to one of many partners, simply by buying a $15 shipping label. Take your boxes to a UPS store or arrange for pickup. http://givebackbox.com/amazon

Packaging: What You Can & Can’t Recycle

Follow these tips (https://bit.ly/packaging- disposal) to properly dispose of common packaging materials this holiday season. The UPS store in Del Ray takes back bags of clean foam peanuts and bubble wrap. If you must throw them out, please don’t put loose styrofoam peanuts in your trash bin–bag them carefully so they don’t end up on the streets and in the Chesapeake Bay.

Copy of December 2019 AHCA Newsletter

Residential Permit Parking – Send Your Feedback Now

Arlington has been reassessing the RPP program for several years and collected feedback this fall to its proposed changes. These include (1) an increase in the fees for permits, (2) changes to the number and types of permits allowed per household, and (3) the addition of 2-hour paid parking during restricted hours on streets currently covered by the RPP program. Visit https://bit.ly/rpp-summary for a complete summary of the current program vs. proposed changes and answers to FAQ.

AHCA wrote to the County outlining concerns raised by residents in the November meeting. The RPP program was established almost 50 years ago when Aurora Highlands fought in court to keep Crystal City commuters from overrunning neighborhood streets. Adequate enforcement of the 2- hour limit to prevent a return to this problem is a major concern. AHCA also pointed out that reducing the number of permits could impact neighbors, reduce housing options, and may encourage homeowners to build more driveways, increasing impervious surfaces and mature tree loss.

Staff will share all feedback with the County Board at the Dec. 12 or 15 Meeting, where staff will receive Board guidance on what to modify in the proposed program before bringing it back to the Board for approval in Jan. 2021 (tentatively, Jan. 23 or 26). AHCA’s last letter can be viewed at aurorahighlands.org. Provide your comments now to Stephen Crim at scrim@arlingtonva.us and the Board at countyboard@arlingtonva.us. Info about viewing and speaking at https://countyboard.arlingtonva.us/.

Army-Navy Drive Complete Street Progress

The project to re-build part of Army Navy Drive in Pentagon City had its 90% Design public hearing Nov 18. Construction will be done in phases, due to start in Spring 2022 and be completed by Fall 2024. Many more details at https://aurorahighlands.org/news/army-navy-complete-street/

Virtually Share Your Thoughts about the VDOT Route 1 Study

The VDOT Route 1 Multimodal Feasibility Study is exploring options to convert Route 1 from 12th to 23rd Streets to an at-grade urban boulevard or improve the current elevated urban boulevard. Virtual “workshop” is Dec 16 at 6:30pm, with comments due Dec 28. Many more details at https://aurorahighlands.org/news/vdot-route-1-multimodal-feasibility-study/

Construction Updates

Excavation at MetPark HQ2 is almost complete, decreasing dump truck activity, but concrete work is ramping up, increasing concrete truck traffic. See https://www.metpark678.com/ for other details and to receive updates.

Much More Happening – Follow Us Online

There’s a lot more happening in the area that we can’t fit in the newsletter. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @AuroraHighlands to catch all the news.

Here are just a few recent items: Bikeshare installed at DCA, first bikeshare accessible airport in the nation. * Extreme Pizza fills growlers & delivers beer * ABC to fill former Bloomberg campaign space at Pentagon Row * County seeking input on search for new Police Chief * Plans to redevelop Crystal City Waterpark

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