Two consent agenda items related to the proposed redevelopment deal between Arlington Government and WETA will be before the County Board on June 16th. The first, Item 2, is a phased development site plan for an addition to WETA's headquarters building. To be taken up at next month's CB meeting. The second, Item 14, is a temporary parking agreement between the County and WETA. A third, Item 29, was deferred by the CB on June 13th until next month and concerns the sale of WETA's studios to the County to be repurposed for outdoor sports.
An AY contributor obtained WETA's last annual report and WETA's last IRS Form 990. WETA is a very wealthy organization and does not need any financial assistance from Arlington County. WETA's CEO, Sharon Rockefeller, is not only wealthy herself but is also on the Board of the Rockefeller Foundation.
There is also the matter of environmental impacts of what will be a multi-jurisdiction sports facility and increased parking and vehicle trips in what is already a densely in-filled area.
WETA has little or nothing to do with Arlington County, apart from its headquarters, studios, and FM broadcasting tower located in Arlington. WETA increasingly appeals to an increasingly upscale audience, e.g., through fictional programming featuring an idealized British aristocracy.
Again, WETA needs no financial assistance from Arlington County.
