MONTGOMERY PARK CONCEPT PLAN ADVANCES
The Old Town North Community Partnership’s concept plan for improvements to Montgomery Park has been presented to its membership and to that of the North Old Town Independent Citizens (NOTICe). Comments received from the community are being incorporated into the concept plan. The next step will be to present the plan to agencies and officials of the City of Alexandria to get the go-ahead for the concept, then to engineer the concept plan to make sure it is feasible. To find out more about the concept plan, call Bruce Machanic at 703/836-8066.
CITY GOVERNMENT WORKING ON VISION/STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ALEXANDRIA
For the past several months, members of City Council have been meeting with consultant Lyle Sumek to develop their vision of Alexandria in 2015, and to formulate a strategic plan to support that vision. The strategic plan will include long-term objectives and detailed actions for the 2004-2005 time frame. The current working draft, version 3, is available on the City of Alexandria’s web site (www.ci.alexandria.va.us). A community forum on the strategic plan was held on May 11, and another session is planned for May 20. Public hearings are scheduled for June 15. Members of our Old Town North community are participating in the forums.
PARTNERSHIP PURCHASES NEW TRASHCAN FOR MONTGOMERY PARK
The Old Town North Community Partnership has purchased a new trash can for Montgomery Park under the City of Alexandria’s cost-sharing program. The trash can is black wrought iron, and is installed near the tennis courts on the parking lot at the corner of Montgomery and Royal Streets.
CITY TO UNDERTAKE TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION STUDY
The City is planning to carry out the “Old Town Congestion Mitigation Project” this spring, which will analyze and optimize traffic signal operations in the Old Town area. The Old Town North Community Partnership has requested that traffic signals at Madison and St. Asaph Streets and Montgomery and Columbus Streets be studied. Please let us know of any other traffic signals in Old Town North that you think need to be analyzed. Other traffic signal optimization projects will be carried out along Duke Street, Route 1, and Van Dorn Street.
CITY CONTINUES PRESSURE ON MIRANT POWER PLANT
At its May 12 meeting, City Council was asked by City staff to support adoption of a long-term goal that the Mirant Power Plant cease all operations and that plant facilities be removed from Alexandria; in the meantime, the short-term goal is that the plant operate in as clean and safe a manner as is feasible and attainable, and comply with all applicable regulations without trading or purchasing pollution credits. City Council deferred the item to June 9.
A community public information meeting on the impacts of particulate matter from power plants has been scheduled by the City’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services and the Environmental Policy Commission on Monday, May 24 at 7pm at the Lyceum (201 S. Washington Street). Dr. Johnathan Levy from the Harvard School of Public Health will present the findings of his study. The meeting is intended to give the public an opportunity to hear about the findings, provide comments and ask questions to City staff about regulatory issues regarding the Mirant Power Plant, and learn about the City’s ambient air monitoring program. Additional information can be obtained from the City at 703-838-4334.
WHAT’S NEW, IN BRIEF
The Park and Recreation Commission is seeking nominees by June 1 for its 2004 Service to the Community Awards, recognizing an outstanding citizen, group, club, or corporate neighbor who has provided a valuable service to our community regarding Recreation, Park, or Cultural needs. Nomination forms may be obtained by calling 703-838-4842, or at www.ci.alexandria.va.us/recreation.
A 5-year site plan extension was approved for the triangular parcel at 900 North Washington Street (currently occupied by a dry cleaner and check cashing service). The extension allows construction of a 21,940 square foot office building with first floor retail and 29 underground parking spaces.
The Open Space Steering Committee’s report on open space priority sites and the criteria to be used in adding or revising properties on the acquisition list is scheduled for a June 21 public hearing.
Remember to attend the Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival at Oronoco Bay Park, June 18 to June 20!