Wednesday, May 4, 2011

County Board's 5 Year Plan: Massive Urbanization + Massive Borrowing = Massive Vanity Projects

Hello, Yupette,

The County Board is preparing to implement its new and unofficial 5-year plan for Arlington. County Board's plan calls for massive urbanization to put as much new luxury real estate on the assessment rolls as possible. No matter what the consequences for our quality-of-life. Increased tax assessment will be used to leverage borrowing to fund the County Board's massive vanity recreation, transportation, and entertainment projects. The most expensive will be the $300 million Columbia Pike and Crystal City streetcar systems (two additional $150 million streetcar routes are being discussed). Not far behind streetcar spending will be the $265 million Long Bridge Aquatic Center, Field House, and Sports Arena. If enough parents complain the County Board is prepared to spend $150 million to construct brick-and-mortar classrooms to handle the projected increased student population, otherwise students will have to learn in leased trailer classrooms.

Other Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources funding will be for a $20 million boathouse on the Potomac, and at least two $20 million more live theaters. The County Board will also spend extravagantly for a greatly expanded Sister Cities and Cultural Exchange Program.

Bottom line, if you are living in affordable housing today, you can be assured that it will be re-developed into luxury housing tomorrow to pay for the County Board's extravagances.

2100

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

First step, as announced today, is to reorganize the County's PR office to be able to more effectively brainwash the sheeple.

Anonymous said...

You forgot stealing from street repaving, water main replacement, libraries, tree maintenance, County employee pensions and salaries, etc.

Elise said...

Economic Development Reitsminister Holzheimer is working diligently to make our Beloved Reitsfuhrer's "Vision for Arlington" become a reality.

Anonymous said...

The Boathouse on the Potomac would cost more like $30 million. At least $15 million would be spent to make the National Park Service 'go along with the program'.

Anonymous said...

Yups have to have an increasing supply of tear-down McMansions to move to from their luxury condos.

Joan22207 said...

It's important to preserve the amount of open space and the luxury single-family zoning in McLean so Arlington's decision makers can continue to enjoy the finest suburban lifestyle possible.

Anonymous said...

You forgot the Gimme Groups. Ya know, the wonderful non-profits that pay their executives $200,000 to keep the homeless homeless, build unaffordable housing, and improve local business by holding noontime concerts in downtown plazas.

L O L said...

Puleeeze, let's not impugn the motives and integrity of non-profits like ASPAN, AHC, and the Rosslyn BID.

Anonymous said...

How about a big 2-day bike-a-thon in Barbara Donnellan's neighborhood in Clifton?

Anonymous said...

Tour Donnellan - series of bicycle road races in the Fairfax County neighborhoods of Arlington County's primary decision makers.

2021 said...

Everyone bicycle to the 42,000 seat Jay Fisette Fieldhouse in Longbridge Park. Yeah it was $150 million over budget and 5 years late, but it's an awesome sports arena.

Anonymous said...

Massive urbanization means massive use of Arlington's remaining suburban neighborhoods as 'recreation opportunities' for those who live in mixed use mega-infill.

Anonymous said...

Take a look at who owns / manages the mixed-use infill being constructed on the Pike. These REITS offered zero community benefits as proffers. Unless you count the trees that were required by the site plan.

Anonymous said...

I am afraid our children will spend much of their classroom time in trailer classrooms.

Anonymous said...

If County Government is so concerned about the environment why is it paving over the County with mega-development? No matter how many new buildings are constructed taxes and assessments keep increasing.

L.B. said...

Who owns the form-based infill on the Pike? The REIT that manages 5500 Columbia Pike is headquartered in Dallas.