2005: A Year of Accomplishments
As we approach the end of 2005, Arlington County has much to be proud of regarding our accomplishments. Although we faced a number of challenges including affordable housing and the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations, 2005 was another banner year for Arlington.

• Top Ten Accomplishments List
• Top Ten Accomplishments Slide Show (2MB, PDF Format)
• Top Ten Video Message from County Board Chairman Jay Fisette (14.5MB, WMV Format)
• Complete Year-End Report (350KB, PDF Format)
• News Release
• County Board Chairman Jay Fisette "Podcast" (One-time audio message from the Chairman; choose a link below.)
  • Podcast Link (copy this link into your podcast player)
  • Play Audio Now (4.6MB, MP3 Format)

Top 10 Accomplishments for 2005
2005 was another banner year for Arlington. Again this year, the County Board – working with the community, commissions, elected officials and County staff -- achieved many successes. Working toward achieving the Arlington County Vision, progress was made in every sector -- from economic sustainability to infrastructure to public safety. Complete details are listed in the attached 2005 Year-End Report and the Top 10 accomplishments are highlighted here:

1. Unanimous Agreement Reached by Affordable Housing Roundtable

• County Board Chairman Jay Fisette chaired the Affordable Housing Roundtable, one of his key 2005 priorities. Concluding a six-month process, the Roundtable -- which included the business community and other stakeholders – reached a unanimous agreement. Developers will partner with Arlington to preserve and create affordable housing throughout the County.
• Developers will contribute to affordable housing and have a choice of four options including 1) provide on-site units, 2) provide off-site units nearby, 3) provide off-site units in Arlington County or 4) make a cash contribution to the County’s Affordable Housing fund.
• The new requirements will streamline site plan approvals.

2. The BRAC Process: Brains Saved in Arlington

• Arlington convinced the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission to retain primary Defense Department (DoD) research agencies in Arlington -- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Office of Naval Research (ONR), and others -- maintaining Arlington’s scientific “center of excellence.”
• This was one of very few instances in which the Commission overturned the Pentagon’s recommendation.
• Although Arlington will lose 18,000 DoD jobs over six years, the County’s top priority was “saving the brains” of DARPA, ONR and the research agencies – and their 2,000 jobs.

3. Arlington Public Schools: Rated Top in U.S.

• Newsweek magazine ranked all four Arlington public high schools in the top one percent of more than 27,000 high schools nationwide. Nineteen thousand (19,000) students come from 120 countries and speak more than 100 different languages.
• Students consistently scored well above state and national averages on standardized tests, including the SAT -- the Arlington average for combined verbal and math SAT scores in 2003-2004 was 1085, compared with 1024 for the state and 1026 in the nation.
• The high school graduation rate is 93 percent. Last year, 88 percent of graduates went on to post-secondary education.

4. Arlington Named #1 Walking City in the U.S.

• Arlington is the number one place in America for walking, topping the American Podiatric Medical Association’s (APMA) list of the “Top 10 Best U.S. Walking Cities.”
• In selecting Arlington, the APMA noted that 23 percent of workers in the County use public transportation to get around: “Keeping on their feet may be a way of life since 35 percent of Arlingtonians walk for exercise.”
• Over the last five years, Arlington has invested more than $17 million on 67 pedestrian-safety-related capital improvements, such as neighborhood traffic-calming measures, intersection improvements, and sidewalks. Promoting healthy walking and biking activities was a priority for Chairman Fisette in 2005.

5. County Board Launched Homeowner Grant Program

• The new homeowner grant program is an innovative way to provide financial relief to thousands of Arlington households, given the constraints of Virginia’s mandated single tax rate for residential and commercial real estate.
• Arlington’s Homeowner Grants effectively freeze or reduce tax bills by providing $500 to households in Arlington with an income of $72,000 per year or less (and who have assets within the limit) with an additional $50 grant for each dependent.
• More than 1,200 households have been approved for the grant, a 2005 priority of Chairman Fisette.

6. New Limits Established on “Lot Coverage”

• In response to residents’ concerns about infill development, the Arlington County Board acted to prevent the “most egregious McMansions” that are out of scale with their neighborhood.
• The new provisions limit the size of the main building, on a sliding scale by zoning district. This action makes it easier for “non-conforming” houses to build additions and does not affect houses with plans underway.

7. Unprecedented Regional Response to Hurricane Katrina

• In an unprecedented effort, Arlington and five other Northern Virginia jurisdictions responded as a region to the emergency needs of the Gulf Coast, deploying 309 over 10 weeks.
• An initial team was deployed to establish the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The four NoVa teams that followed supported the EOC and established an Incident Management Team, including city management, public safety, technology, finance, public health, and others.
• Six deployments of regional firefighters provided all the 911 services for Hancock County, Mississippi, whose fire department was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
• Following the recommendations of the Arlington Response to Katrina Task Force, Arlington -- in cooperation with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Northern Virginia Habitat for Humanity -- is entering into a community rebuilding partnership with Biloxi, Mississippi.
• The Arlington community served as many as 164 relocated households of Katrina survivors, providing assistance with housing, income, schooling, and other needs.

8. Innovative Land Swap Enhances North Tract Recreational Facility

• In an innovative land swap, Arlington has enhanced plans for a signature recreational complex – including a world-class aquatic facility -- on the North Tract site.
• Through the swap, Arlington will acquire a prime “gateway” site, with spectacular views of Washington’s monuments. Arlington also will receive $25 million and the park’s size is increased to 30 acres, preserving unparalleled views for future generations.

9. $4.8 Million HUD Grant Awarded

• Arlington, working with Volunteers of America National (VOA), won a $4.8-million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide an assisted-living residence for low-income persons over 50 with mental and/or cognitive disabilities.
• It marks a first for the County – a place specifically designed to provide assistance with personal care, meals, housekeeping and transportation. The new residence will be completed by late 2007.
• This grant is the largest in the history of Arlington’s Department of Human Services.

10. Bike Arlington: First-Ever Community Bike Day

• More than 400 participants joined Chairman Fisette in the first-ever Arlington Community Bike Ride for families. Mr. Fisette announced the new event during his New Year’s Day address.
• With 89 miles of designated bikeways available in the County, Arlington was also named a “Bicycle Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists.