County Board Wrap-Up Media Release for May 2022 Meeting
Published on May 19, 2022
The Arlington County Board took several actions Saturday, May 14, 2022, at its regular County Board Meeting, including approving a use permit for commercial vehicle parking and a temporary construction easement, at 2629 and 2633 Shirlington Road. These actions support the County’s plans to build a new Arlington Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility (AOMF) which will address the need for parking, operations and maintenance of the County’s growing ART bus fleet. ART provided over 2.95 million passenger trips in CY2019 (prior to the start of the pandemic) and is expected to provide over 3 million annual trips post-pandemic.
The County’s blueprint includes over a $78M investment in not only Arlington’s transportation system, but also a commitment to climate action by utilizing alternative forms of energy and the purchase of Battery Electric Buses (BEB). The Board moved the project forward after extensive public engagement and hearing from many interested parties on such issues as energy efficiency and mitigation, as well as lighting and signage effects on the surrounding Green Valley neighborhood.
The Board approved a use permit to temporarily park ART buses on the N Quincy site. This is critical to maintaining ART bus service during construction. The Board is committed to mitigating effects on the neighborhood by establishing temporary conditions, which include identifying a liaison to residents, limiting the term of the permit, and requiring an acoustic sound barrier to minimize noise. Construction of the new facility is expected to be completed by summer 2025.
On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, the County Board held its Recessed Meeting. Several actions were taken and reports presented, including:
- A presentation from County Manager Mark Schwartz regarding the Arlington Resident Satisfaction Survey. The Board was proud to learn that Arlington ranked above the national average on resident satisfaction.
- A presentation from County Manager Mark Schwartz on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2032 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The Capital Improvement Plan Fiscal Years 2023 - 2032 returns to a traditional 10-year plan following adjustments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, Board Chair Katie Cristol will be joined by DHS Deputy Director Deborah Warren to discuss mental health in Arlington County on the Board’s Wrap Up Podcast. Tune into the Board Wrap-Up Podcast through Spotify, Anchor, or Apple iTunes to listen in.
The Board meetings can be viewed in their entirety on the County’s website and YouTube.
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