Why a Planning Process Here, Now?

The timing of this effort is closely tied to the expiration of affordability contracts on two large rental communities in the corridor – The Heritage at Old Town and Olde Towne West III. This initiative is exploring opportunities to maintain housing affordability in the plan area through the future preservation, renovation and/or redevelopment of these properties. Working with the community and commercial property owners, this planning effort will develop strategies and identify public and private resources and tools to preserve housing affordability and diversity, including existing expiring long-term subsidies that provide deep affordability for many of the rental units. It will also explore strategies to strengthen the character of the neighborhood, prioritize safety and accessibility along Route 1 South, and create a more welcoming gateway to the city.  

• 10 Things to Know about the Route 1 South Housing Affordability Strategy (as of March 19, 2018)
• Looking for affordable housing within the city? Visit the Office of Housing web page, where you'll find the Housing Resource Guide in English, Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic. Or call 703.746.4990 with questions.

Updates

• Community members are invited to comment on the July 13 revised draft document, informed by feedback received on the June 4 working draft. Comments received by Friday, August 17 will inform the final draft document to be presented to the Planning Commission and City Council in September.  
  • Complete July 13 Revised Draft Document
    • Document by Chapter:
      • Chapter 1 - Purpose
      • Chapter 2 - Housing Affordability
      • Chapter 3 - Planning, Land Use and Design
      • Chapter 4 - Mobility and Safety
      • Chapter 5 - Implementation
      • Appendix
  • Options for providing feedback are as follows:
    
    • Visit and comment through AlexEngage - the City's online engagement forum – by August 17
    • Call or email Ashley Labadie, Urban Planner, 703.746.3801 or Tamara Jovovic, Office of Housing, 703.746.3097
    • Attend informal round table discussions
      • Tuesday, July 24 from 6-8 p.m., Abyssinia Mart and Coffee Shop, 720 Jefferson St. - drop in anytime
      • Thursday, August 9 from 6-8 p.m., location TBD - drop in anytime
    • Review and comment in person on paper draft documents provided at the following locations:
      • Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street
      • Abyssinia Mart, 720 Jefferson Street
      • Heritage Apartments management office, 431 S. Columbus Street
      • Olde Towne West Apartments management office, 500 S. Alfred Street

•  Comments and Responses on June 4 Working Draft 
  • Complete June 4 Working Draft Document
    • Document by Chapter:
      • Chapter 1 - Purpose
      • Chapter 2 - Housing Affordability
      • Chapter 3 - Planning, Land Use and Design
      • Chapter 4 - Mobility and Safety
      • Chapter 5 - Implementation
      • Appendix
  • Translated draft chapters in Amharic:
    • Draft Purpose and Housing
  
  

Meetings and Materials

• Meeting information and materials can be found on this page.

Charrette Week, February 26 - March 5

This planning process included  a five-day intensive community planning "charrette" -  a collaborative planning and design exercise to develop the principles and strategies for the plan. Members of the community were invited to participate and share their ideas on-site during the day and at evening public meetings and open houses. Childcare, transportation and interpretation services in Spanish and Amharic were provided during the evening community meetings. If unable to attend the charrette in person, community members were invited to follow the charrette progress and participate online throughout the week. Take a look at these photos from charrette!

Charrette Group Volunteers

To ensure consistent participation in the development of the Plan, the City solicited community members to serve as Charrette Group Volunteers. Charrette Group Volunteers, alongside all those interested in the planning process, will help develop the principles and strategies of the plan during the charrette. Volunteers of the Charrette Group committed to participating in most of the public engagement events, and in the charrette in particular. Charrette Group Volunteers represent the geographic and demographic diversity of the planning area.

Community Comments

• Community comments received on the June 4 Working Draft Strategy
  
• Consolidated community comments received, Pre-Charrette Week (as of February 24, 2018)

Resources

• Focus area map
• Southwest Quadrant Background Information for Route 1 South Housing Affordability Strategy
  
• Planning Process Schedule (as of 07/18/18)
  
• What do we mean when we say Affordable Housing? Definition of Terms
  
• Civic Engagement Framework
• Southwest Quadrant Demographic Analysis

Questions 

This planning effort is jointly supported by the Department of Planning and Zoning and the Office of Housing. Questions may be directed to Ashley Labadie, Urban Planner, 703.746.3801.