Friday, April 20, 2012

County Board to 'Shirlington' Rosenthal Auto, Bergmanns


Hello Yupette,

More bad news for those of us who live in Arlington and want our County to remain suburban. The County Board and its non-resident REITs, developers, lawyers, architects, county staff, etc., are going to replicate Shirlington on the Rosenthal auto dealer site on the Pike and the Bergmanns cleaners site on Lee Highway.

That is, massive parking and vehicle trips, little or no on-site affordable housing for all the restaurant and retail jobs that will be created, and no additional community infrastructure, playgrounds, community activities center, etc.

Another corporate welfare gift for the County Board's pet corporate cronies, facilitated by the usual crew of the County Board's pet 'community leaders'.

Oh, by the way, same Libby Garvey who has said nothing and done nothing about the Shirlington mess that affects her own community is now on the County Board.

Mike, 22204

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yupette, here's a photo of the wonderfully-maintained Rosenthal auto storage site in Shirlington. Owned by another of the County Board's corporate cronies.

Anonymous said...

The gang graffiti is a nice touch. Brightens up an otherwise drab building in South Arlington that's slated for redevelopment. Maybe Rosenthal can apply for a public art grant from the county for a designer fence to replace the ugly chain link fence in the photo.

Anonymous said...

More of the Zimmy 2-step: allow a middle class neighborhood to deteriorate (often through non-resident ownership) and then say the neighborhood is 'blighted' and has to be 'redeveloped'.

fairgrrl said...

The streets in Libby's neighborhood are so bad they're a safety hazard to bicyclists.

Anonymous said...

The Rosenthal Auto Empire definitely needs a $450,000 gift from the County Board for a designer fence. But please pave my crumbling Fairlington street first.

Anonymous said...

Rosenthal auto storage site should be made into a park for Shirlington-area residents.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Robert Rosenthal Park. But that can never happen because there is about zero philanthropy in Arlington County.

Anonymous said...

Rosenthal is leaving? I guess I'll be taking my minivan down to Springfield then for servicing. That's smart growth for you.

Anonymous said...

Don't we have enough problems already with Shirlington Village property owners who blatantly ignore site plan conditions? Here's a local corporation that takes 'blighted property' to the extreme.

Smart Growth Sucks...Here's Why said...

'Smart Growth' is idiotic. High paying auto mechanic jobs move away, replaced by low paid restaurant jobs. Low paid restaurant workers have to drive in from 40 miles away because there's no affordable housing. Residents who had their Chrysler and Jeep vehicles serviced have to drive 20 miles to Springfield. Duh.

Anonymous said...

This was pulled from the consent agenda and will be herd on April 24th at 6:30 PM

Anonymous said...

It's clear Libby Garvey did not care about affordable housing on the Pike. Where are the people from VOICE who say they do care?

fairgrrl said...

Anyone riding a bicycle on the pot holed streets in Libby Garvey's neighborhood can rest assured that Libby will provide expert advice to your next-of-kin about organ donation.

Anonymous said...

Hundreds of non-residents, including many from Shirlington, drive their kids to use the playground at the Fairlington Community Center.

So guess which playground the resident children of whatever goes up on the Rosenthal auto site will use? Hint, it's in the park across the street from Zimmy's home.

Anonymous said...

Hee...Hee...serves the jerk right, they should bring their neighbors' kids and their dogs, while they're at it.

Anonymous said...

At least a dozen Rosenthal employees that I know of live close to the dealership. May be more who I don't know.

D.P. Resident said...

Smart Growth? Try dropping your Chrysler vehicle off for service at Rosenthal and then taking the Pike Ride to work downtown.

D.P. Resident said...

Does Zimmerman even live in Douglas Park anymore? Neighbors say his home is usually dark dusk to dawn.

Anonymous said...

The playground at the Fairlington Community Center is usually packed with Moms and kids, half don't live in Fairlington.

That's what happens when developers aren't required to build public community infrastructure on-site.