July Neighborhood Updates, Name That Tern, and Save the Date for CHALK-A-BLOCK!
Old Town North Alliance President Ryan Whitaker and Board Member Austin Flajser Speak at BisNow Conference on the Future of Alexandria
Earlier this month, BisNow hosted a series of panel discussions on the Future of Alexandria at the Sheraton Suites in Old Town North.
In addition to opening remarks from Mayor Justin Wilson, and a panel on Public/Private Partnerships with Council Member John Taylor Chapman, the event included a panel on the Development Pipeline in Alexandria featuring Old Town North Alliance Board Member Austin Flajser (CarrAmerica, formerly known as Carr Companies) and Old Town North Alliance President Ryan Whitaker (Whitaker Investment Corp.). Austin’s company, CarrAmerica, is leading the redevelopment of the Montgomery Center and Ryan’s company, Whitaker Investment Corp., is part of a joint venture with Community Three to re-develop three 1980’s office buildings into a mixed-use property known as TideLock.
Both panels acknowledged that increased construction costs, rising interest rates, and current market dynamics are making it much more difficult for developers to secure financing and deliver projects. The panelists were in agreement that the City’s willingness to be flexible and creative in this process is crucial to facilitating development in these challenging circumstances.
Austin asserted that despite these challenging market circumstances, the underlying fundamentals in the Old Town North market remain strong. The panelists agreed that the Old Town North market possesses many attributes that continue to make it an appealing site for development: (1) a unique blend of residential, commercial, and cultural amenities and (2) proximity to the waterfront, Ronald Reagan National Airport, and Washington, DC.
The Development Pipeline panelists were in agreement that the City needs to re-think the commercial tax base particularly in the aftermath of the failed Monumental Arena project. Ryan emphasized the importance of HRP Group’s redevelopment of the Potomac River Generating Site and said that the City must make that project a priority.
Both panels also discussed the importance of community engagement, placemaking, and public art in development. Ryan highlighted the important role of the Old Town North Alliance in its efforts to engage the community in supporting the implementation of a robust Arts & Cultural District and establishing a distinct neighborhood identity for Old Town North.
Robinson Terminal North Project Update
Rendering of Robinson Terminal North Project from Rooney Properties presentation to the Board of Architectural Review, 7/16/2024
Following a series of meetings this summer including a Community Meeting on June 27th before the Old Town North Urban Design Advisory Committee (UDAC), the Waterfront Commission (WFC), and the Board of Architectural Review (BAR), the Robinson Terminal North development project is transitioning out of the Concept Review phase. At the BAR meeting on July 16th, the Board voted unanimously to endorse the project.
Applicant attorney Ken Wire said that the team hopes to submit development special use permit applications for the project in late July/early August. There will be another Community Meeting in September/October along with another series of meetings before the UDAC, the WFC, and the BAR during that same timeframe, but specific dates have not yet been determined.
For more information including presentations and recordings of many of the meetings, visit: https://rooneypropertiesllc.com/project/robinson-terminal-north/
South of Airport Noise Study Survey - Closes July 31, 2024
The City of Alexandria, along with Fairfax County and Prince George’s County, has engaged Vianair Consulting to generate recommendations for mitigating airport noise in communities south of Ronald Reagan National Airport. As a part of this effort, Vianair has created a survey to gather community input. If you would like to make your voice heard on this issue, please complete the survey before it closes next Wednesday, July 31st.
To complete the survey, visit:
https://forms.office.com/r/7JDAej2Lid
For more information about the South of Airport Noise Study, visit:
If you have any questions about the South of Airport Noise Study, please contact Melissa Atwood at melissa.atwood@alexandriava.gov.
Old Town North Farmers’ Market & Free Yoga in The Fresh Air Schedule Changes
In response to the high temperatures this summer, the Sunday market hours have been changed to 9am - 1pm. Free Yoga in the Fresh Air on Sundays at Montgomery Park has been changed to 10am - 11am.
Help Us Name That Tern!
As part of a branding effort for the Old Town North neighborhood undertaken by the Alliance in 2023, we created a neighborhood mascot: a Caspian Tern.
We think the Old Town North Tern needs a name and we need your help to Name that Tern!
Prince Caspian? Montgomery? Casper? Royal? Terry?
We will collect suggestions in the coming weeks and pick our favorites to put to a vote next month.
Please send your suggestions by email to director@otnalliance.org or comment on the post on our instagram account (@otnalliance).
Make sure to follow us on Instagram to keep up to date on what’s happening in the neighborhood!
SAVE THE DATE
August 19th - August 25th
Alexandria Restaurant Week
https://visitalexandria.com/restaurants/restaurant-week/
Stay tuned for details on special menus being offered next month at: Jula’s on the Potomac, a lounge at the Hotel AKA, Royal Restaurant, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Oak Steakhouse, TJ Stone’s Grill House & Tap Room, and A la Lucia.
Thursday, September 19th
Taste of Old Town North
Montgomery Park
4pm - 8pm
Sunday, September 29th
11am - 4pm
Photos of Old Town North Alliance Art Block & Chalk Walk (courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Mark your calendars for the return of two great Old Town North Alliance art events merged into one: Chalk Walk + Art Block = CHALK-A-BLOCK
Photos of Old Town North Alliance Art Block & Chalk Walk (courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
This year’s event will take place at a variety of sites throughout the neighborhood and will include chalk artists, local vendor artists/makers, a scavenger hunt, and more!
Looking forward to seeing you there! More details coming soon - stay tuned