Arlington County Board Approves Fort Myer Heights North Residential Redevelopment
- Provides 76 affordable units – majority are family-sized units
- Preserves, renovates two historic garden apartment buildings
- Provides a new 12-story, mixed-income, LEED Silver certified residential building
ARLINGTON, VA – March 13, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The Arlington County Board voted unanimously on Monday, March 11, to approve a site plan development that will renovate two historic garden apartment buildings in the Rosslyn-Ballston Metro corridor, and replace three other garden apartments with a residential building.
“This project meets the primary goals of the Fort Myer Heights North Plan,” adopted by the County Board in 2008, said Arlington County Board Chairman J. Walter Tejada. “In one project, we are preserving historic buildings and affordable housing, creating new, family-sized affordable units, and increasing energy efficiency. This is a win for the Fort Myer Heights neighborhood and a win for all of Arlington.”
The planned development is located in Fort Myer Heights North, an area between Rosslyn and Courthouse that is home to many low-rise, historic garden apartments and some of the County’s more affordable rental units. In September 2008, the County Board adopted the Fort Myer Heights North Plan, providing a framework for new development that encourages preservation of the area’s garden apartments and affordable housing.
The planned Pierce Queen Apartments redevelopment will provide 193 units, including 76 units contractually committed to remain affordable for 60 years. The affordable units will include 61 family-sized units, eight fully accessible units and eight supportive housing units.
Board approves $6.8 million loan to help finance affordable housing
In a separate action, the Board also unanimously approved a loan of $6.8 million, at a rate of 3 per cent for up to 35 years, to the developers, Wesley Housing Development Corporation and Bozzuto Development Company, to help finance the acquisition and construction of the affordable units. The developer will apply this month for competitive federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to help finance the project. If Wesley and Bozzuto acquire the needed financing, the project is expected to be finished by the fall of 2015.
The 50,000 square-foot site is bounded by 16th Street North to the north, North Pierce Street to the east, a hotel building to the south and North Queen Street to the west. The two historic garden apartment buildings that will be preserved are located on 1600 16th Street North and 1610 16th Street North. The 12-story residential building will be built at 1520 North Pierce Street.
The site currently is home to the 50-unit Pierce Queen Apartments, a complex of five two-story buildings and a surface parking lot built between 1942 and 1946, The two historic buildings that front on 16th Street North that now consist of 20 units will be reconfigured and completely renovated into 12 three-bedroom apartments suitable for families. The developer received bonus density for providing affordable housing on site and for agreeing to achieve LEED Silver certification for the residential tower.
The U-shaped residential tower will include three levels of below grade parking, and will taper down in height toward the historic garden apartment buildings. All the buildings will be faced mostly in brick, with red brick at the base, grey brick in the upper floors.
Community benefits
In addition to providing affordable housing, preserving two garden apartments, creating family-sized affordable units and achieving LEED Silver certification for the planned residential building, the developer has agreed to provide the following community benefits:
- $58,475 Utility Underground Fund Contribution (Condition #5);
- Completion of on-site streetscape improvements to include sidewalks, curb, and gutter
on-site along North Pierce Street, North Queen Street, and 16th Street North
- Undergrounding of existing aerial utilities
- $238,650 over a period of 30 years Transportation Demand Management program
- $75,000 Public Art Contribution
- Earthcraft Certification of the garden apartment buildings. In support of the County’s green building and energy goals, Earthcraft certification of the proposed renovations would incorporate green building components to address energy efficiency, water efficiency, sustainable materials, and healthy indoor air.
To learn more about this planned development and read the staff reports, view item #21 on the County Board Monday, March 11 Carryover Meeting Agenda.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the “10 miles square” parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation’s Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency’s highest award for “Smart Growth” in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world – including the Pentagon – Arlington stands out as one of America’s preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
Media Contacts
Helen Duong
703-228-5027
hduong (at) arlingtonva (dot) us
