Alexandria: Arlandria/Chirilagua Small Area Plan and Redevelopment

[Anonymous]

Upcoming public meetings on Arlandria/Chirilagua small area plan and redevelopment. Primarily density that is inevitable with Potomac Yard Metro (Amazon is a stalking horse and bogeyman given it is just following assets like the new metro).

I’m sure most of this forum does not live in Arlandria/Chirilagua, but like with redevelopment flip flopping at Braddock Road, supposed YIMBYs, their lobby, and members on council who rubber stamp everything else are hypocrites, and don’t want density when it affects them or their interests.

Voice your support that this neighborhood needs to carry its fair share and call out the YIMBY hypocrites when they complain about mass, livability, and change.

https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/planning/info/ArlandriaJuneEngagementboardsEng061021.pdf

https://alexandrialivingmagazine.com/city-seeks-community-input-on-the-arlandria/

[Anonymous]

Why don't you mind your own business and let the neighborhood decide for itself? Or, if you live in the neighborhood and want it to "carry its fair share," get off your computer and go canvass your neighbors. Do the work.

[Anonymous]

Lol, go away NIMBY.

[Anonymous]

A developer had submitted plans years ago to redevelop that area but eventually dropped them all together.

Same rounds of surveys, community meetings, protests, feedback, etc all done at that time as well

I tend to think the same will happen. A developer will submit plans and nothing. I think initially developers believe they are going to make back their money. That they are going to find some way to make it profitable. Then the realization once they start sending out actual people to survey the area and realize they are not going to be able to attract market rate renters or get retail spaces filled, they just drop the plans. The big issues is that the apartment complexes on the other side of the street where they are not aiming this plan, will still exist an the people living there will be the core demographic shopping in the retail. The retailers aren't going to pay to locate in an area with a demographic that doesn't shop or can't afford to shop in the in their business.

They should replace the dumpy looking low income housing building the City maintains and maybe some of the smaller park improvements and then let go of the redevelopment fantasy. The people who live in that area seem fine with the way things are and the shops and restaurants seem to get plenty of business so just let it be.

[Anonymous]

OP here, Alexandria Resident, and even though I don’t live in that neighborhood, it is my business when the city insists on densifying only my neighborhood, but not others.

NIMBY? Most people who claim they’re for development aren’t. Just look at where these people live and how they live their life. And for the record I choose to live in a dense area. I practice what I preach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A developer had submitted plans years ago to redevelop that area but eventually dropped them all together.

Same rounds of surveys, community meetings, protests, feedback, etc all done at that time as well

I tend to think the same will happen. A developer will submit plans and nothing. I think initially developers believe they are going to make back their money. That they are going to find some way to make it profitable. Then the realization once they start sending out actual people to survey the area and realize they are not going to be able to attract market rate renters or get retail spaces filled, they just drop the plans. The big issues is that the apartment complexes on the other side of the street where they are not aiming this plan, will still exist an the people living there will be the core demographic shopping in the retail. The retailers aren't going to pay to locate in an area with a demographic that doesn't shop or can't afford to shop in the in their business.

They should replace the dumpy looking low income housing building the City maintains and maybe some of the smaller park improvements and then let go of the redevelopment fantasy. The people who live in that area seem fine with the way things are and the shops and restaurants seem to get plenty of business so just let it be.

I’m not sure if 40-50% AMI is neighborhood, city or region wide. Neighborhood in that area would make it unviable because paying less than half market rate is unviable. Agreed retail is dependent on neighborhood income.

Anyone opposing building elsewhere, but not here is a hypocrite. But most YIMBYs and people who through around “equity” are hypocrites or outright racist. They don’t want outsiders anymore than anyone else. They certainly don’t send their kids to the same family schools. City that is over 80% Democrat and yet only 60% of the children attend ACPS.