Sunday, December 04, 2011

Arlandria: When A Plan Comes Together

With all eyes either gazing in adoration or glazing over in rage at the waterfront plan, a small, community-spurred plan to bring about changes in a struggling, but hopeful neighborhood has finally come to fruition.

The Long Road

The Vision from the 1998 Plan.
The Arlandria community has been planning for change longer than any other neighborhood in Alexandria. We are now a decade into implementation of the Arlandria Revitalization Plan, the result of the City and community-supported 5-year planning effort from 1998 to 2003. Broadly stated, the goal of the Plan was to build on the strength of Arlandria as a pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use place through the redevelopment of underutilized sites. Re-development of the "oppurtunity sites" was the anticipated catalyst for the proposed revitalization.

Absent that outside investment, the City pursued modest improvements, but the opportunity to make a significant impact in a densely poor community was limited. Resources were put into an interim marketing strategy to strengthen existing businesses and community members worked to establish facade improvement guidelines for individual storefronts. But the efforts proved to be futile since many shopowners were barely breaking even. In the decade since the plan, shops were closing and turning over at an increasingly alarming rate. The shopowners that remained were barely holding on.

Redevelopment proposal compared to Arlandria Plan illustration
A 2008 follow-up feasibility study, publicly unveiled 3 years ago, ultimately confirmed that conditions in Arlandria made development unfeasible. Paraphrased, "Arlandria was not worth the investment." The study pointed to an on-going perception of crime, a poor built environment, and lack of economic diversity as the three major impediments to economic development.

Grass-Roots Community For All

The City attributed the stagnant plan implementation to a lack of community involvement. That comment and the implication of the feasibility study became the catalyst for the community led, city-supported grassroots efforts that followed. Within the parameters of maintaining the ethnic and economic diversity that define Arlandria, achieving sustainability became the overarching goal. Without outside investment, a group of volunteers took on the challenge of what remains a higher standard of fostering a supportive environment. Working hand-in-hand with neighbors and social service providers, community residents created a small business incubator in the farmers and artisans market. The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market is the sole market - in both Alexandria and Northern Virginia - to welcome SNAP (food stamps), a labor of love which took market organizers countless extra hours to establish and staff weekly. And the community has banded together to improve streetscapes and parks and maintained a presence at service provider and quality of life meetings to ensure every resident and visitor feels safe in our community.

Along with the City, the neighborhood paved the way by working with our Community Oriented Police (COPS), ARHA, Community Lodgings, Wesley Housing, the Community Services Board, the Chirilagua Coop and most recently Arlington Housing Corporation to preserve existing housing and conditions for the city's most vulnerable citizens, and have strongly supported the inclusion of workforce housing to create upward mobility for hard-working residents - who would otherwise have to leave the City to improve their circumstance. According to Census, Arlandria's population is still highly transient (30% turnover per year, 90% every 5 years). The city and grassroots organizations have aimed to create an environment that allows more residents to make Alexandria into a long-term home by providing a wide range of housing. That solution requires something more than very low rent and very high cost properties. Economic diversity and livability are key to a sustainable community.

Finally...

The long-awaited plan to re-develop the Arlandria Shopping Center (Mount Vernon Village Center) overcomes the challenges presented in the feasibility study from 3 years ago. After years of painstaking, frustrating and sometimes seemingly futile efforts, one of our community partners has proposed the first step towards fulfillment of a decade-old promise to realize Arlandria as the proud waterside gateway into our wonderful city. In a constrained-resource environment, Arlandria Center, LLC has created a design that addresses the key issues in our neighborhood. It leads the way by making a positive change to the built environment and addresses the perception of crime by adding eyes on the street - where increased vitality becomes a deterrent to crime.

This current development application addresses many of the design goals of the Arlandria plan, proposing a mixed used property consisting of two multi-family residential buildings that maintain the 50,000 sq. ft. of retail along Mt Vernon Avenue (maintaining approximately the same amount of retail). Parking would be underground or buried within the building at grade. The plan includes streetscape improvements to Mt Vernon Avenue and Bruce Street, which include street trees, new bus shelters, and sidewalk widening. The high quality, contemporary design is in compliance with new green building standards and incorporates new affordable housing units for households earning less than 60% of the Area Median Income. The property also improves access to and increases visibility of Four Mile Run Park.

The Mt. Vernon Village Center proposal for 450+ housing units is a first step on a long road to alleviate an impending housing crunch. The median age of housing stock within one mile of the project is 55 years old; within 5 miles: 44 years old.

The development would also provide the city-code required 940 underground parking spaces. The project remains open to utilizing some parking spaces for other subsequent developments if the opportunity presents itself.

And the proposal includes a phased approach, retaining as much existing retail as possible during construction. MOM's and CVS, for instance, could continue to operate if they choose on the northern portion of site while the southern portion is built.

Community Benefits

The plan fulfills the Arlandria Plan requirement for 10-15% open space: 10% of the property space would be reserved for public open space and another 5% would be for resident use. The building would be set back back 40 feet from Mt Vernon Avenue for pedestrian plaza space and will be pulled back 5 additional feet on Bruce Street to create better access to Four Mile Run Park and better vehicular access to stores and residences. The project would also fund up to $200,000 for new tennis/basketball courts, which would be relocated per the 4MR Park master plan. 7,000 square feet of the property along the park would be reserved for a pedestrian promenade with the potential for a future road should the City desire at some point. The development would also improve the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff from the site.

The primary entrance to the residential portion of the parking garage would be through the center courtyard aligned across from Russell Road and the developer would rebuild that intersection and the southern entrance to the property for better automobile access than exists today.

The development conforms to all of the standards set out in terms of bulk, set back and open space, but needs to be 7 additional feet taller in the center of the building to achieve the scale need to accommodate 28 units of affordable housing throughout the property. This housing which would be open to holders of housing vouchers and others who make less than 60% of Area Median Income.

The residential portion of the property would be built to LEED green building standards, and the commercial portion would be build to LEED Silver standards.

The project also includes $51,000+ in today's dollars (adjusted for inflation) annually for transportation management to keep single occupancy vehicle trips from the development to less than 40% of total trips. To help accomplish that, the developer would additionally install new bus shelters with real-time bus arrival data and would also install on-site bicycle amenities, including a Capital Bikeshare station. The developer would also provide a 20% employee transit subsidy. In the future, the development would be required to partner with other property owners to create a Transportation Management District to make further improvements to transit.

A little mentioned project attribute is that it also meets the design guidelines from the Four Mile Run Restoration Plan. This plan was created by the community over several years as joint effort between the City and Arlington County working through the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. See examples of suggested architecture and building massing in the following excerpts:

Challenges and Opportunities

"Neighborhoods that mix land uses, make walking safe and convenient, and are near other development allow residents and workers to drive significantly less if they choose. In fact, research has found that in the most centrally located, well-designed neighborhoods, residents drive as little as half as much as residents of outlying areas. Along with these benefits, mixed-use development can improve communities in other important ways, including supporting affordable housing by lowering transportation costs. Studies have also shown that mixed-use development, especially in concert with other smart growth strategies, provides significantly higher returns to local governments through property and sales taxes while requiring lower per unit infrastructure and public-service costs." (EPA)

The majority of road issues in our area are rush hour bottlenecks further on down the line, such as where West Glebe and South Glebe come together and where those roads hit Route 1. There is the need for targeted solutions for those bottleneck areas as well as better transit and bike options to allow people to switch modes away from single occupancy vehicle driving. Mt. Vernon Avenue in Arlandria is not a highway, nor even a high capacity road. At its best, it could be an urban boulevard with wide sidewalks, easy pedestrian crossing places, and slow moving traffic. The Arlandria Plan vision of pedestrian-oriented, transit-oriented development is the antidote to the bottlenecks problems created by sprawl induced cut-through traffic. 

Post rush hour traffic on Mt Vernon Avenue
9:15 on a Friday morning.

The small area plan is about making a pedestrian friendly community that brings current and future residents out on foot to enjoy the neighborhood. Right now, we are bathed in a sea of empty parking lots and people-second design. Bus routes connect the Avenue to points south and north, the Metro stations and the Pentagon. "Circulator" routes from a future Potomac Yard Metro and to the future transit line along Route 1 are in the works, but this will only work if complimented with sufficient density.

In order to maintain our diversity, we have made a conscious decision that we would prefer to add the density of economic diversity that mitigates the negative impact of being the most impoverished community in the city. The development proposed by the Mt. Vernon Village Center helps us realize our long-awaited goal of becoming a safe, walkable, sustainable and inclusive community. We are proud of our multicultural environment, we have immigrants from around the world, but without the proposed development, the opportunity to fulfill Arlandria's potential will likely slip by and drive our neighborhood back to it's 'unfeasable' state. What we have learned through our journey is that every resident has a stake in making their own neighborhood the best it can be. All of us have a responsibility to step forward with an investment of the time it takes at least pay attention to the opportunities presented in their area. Whether it's the city or a developer considering making a change, make your voice heard. We feel strongly that this is the best opportunity to make Arlandria one of the City's greatest success stories. If you believe that too, now is the time to step forward, write a letter, show up, or even join in. Everyone's welcome - it's Arlandria!
___________________________________________
Submitted by Kevin Beekman, Melissa Garcia and Nick Partee

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The long and short of Long Bridge Park


Just north of Crystal City between Route 1, I-395 and Roaches Run, on the land formerly known as "the North Tract", Arlington has opened the first phase of Long Bridge Park.

Future phases of the project might be a number of years away, but in the meantime Long Bridge is already a fabulous park. We took a tour. Here are some pics:





The County has produced this video of the last week's opening:


Monday, November 07, 2011

New affordable housing proposed for Reed Avenue


The next decade will bring extraordinary transformation to Lynhaven, Arlandria and surrounding communities. With so much development planned to happen in Potomac Yard, it’s no surprise that parcels around us will be developed and redeveloped. One of the first examples of that is planned for the northwest corner of East Reed Avenue and JD Highway, what was once a gas station, now a vacant lot owned by the City of Alexandria.

The building is envisioned to be a multi-family housing project developed by Arlington Housing Corporation (AHC), a non-profit organization that builds, maintains and manages affordable housing. AHC has been in business for 35 years and has developed and manages 3500 units in Arlington and Fairfax. This is their first project in Alexandria.

The building, occupying the vacant lot on the corner (3600 JD Highway) as well as 120 Reed and the duplex at 118 Reed, is envisioned to have 59 apartment units entirely reserved as affordable housing.  For this project, affordable housing means that residents will have to show income for a family of four below 60% of the area median income, or about $56,000 per year. The building will be comprised of one-bedroom units (500-700 square feet) and two-bedroom units (980-1165 square feet). If the building were to open today, the rent for the one-bedroom would be $1,194 per month, and for a two-bedroom, $1,432. 

The project is proposed to be five stories along the JD Highway frontage and four stories along Reed Avenue.  This is of a similar scale to the Preston condominium across Reed. Underground parking will provide 47 spaces for the building’s residents. 

There are a number of planning, zoning and transportation complexities associated with the AHC development, including a required change in the Reed Avenue zoning, and a potential right-turn lane from southbound Route One onto Reed Avenue. 

At the Lynhaven Citizens Association meeting on November 7th (7:00 p.m. at Cora Kelly Rec Center), the community will hear a presentation on the building from AHC as well as on the associated issues from the City’s perspective. AHC is on a very short timeline because they will need to apply for federal low-income housing credit in March, 2012. This will be our most important presentation and opportunity to offer feedback during the process. If you are not able to attend and would like to comment, you can contact Gwen Wright with the City of Alexandria directly at gwen.wright@alexandriava.govor 703-746-3811.

Submitted by Joe Bondi

Saturday, October 29, 2011

4MRMarket Report "End of Season Halloween Blowout" Edition


4MRMarket is closing for the season and we're having a party. 


Buy fresh produce, see a show, AND a great cooking demo by celebrity chef Will Artley!

This Sunday will be this year's last Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market of the season, but it will be a great one! Here's what'll be happening at 4MRMarket:

From 8-10, come stop by the market tent or lounge to hear about the special surprises that we have lined up for next season, capped off by an official announcement regarding the huge anonymous donation received last week.

At 10:30, come see a stunning performance by an acclaimed neighborhood actress. Award winning actress and Author of children’s educational picture books, Mizz Gale Nemecpresents a fantastic retelling of a classic Fairy Tale. Mizz Nemec brings all the characters to life in this engaging story by the Brothers Grimm. Mizz Nemec’s books make great gifts and will be available for purchase after the show. One show only!

At Noon, see a cooking demonstration by local celebrity chef, Will Artley. Chef Artley is one of the DC area's rising star chefs.

Will recently decided to part ways with Evening Star, but he's a huge supporter of the farmers market and the local food movement. Not to mention, he knows what to do with those great fresh ingredients once he gets his chef's knife on 'em!

Come learn a few tips and tricks, and maybe there will be some samples to pass around!

Here is the schedule for Sunday:
  • 8:00am - Market Opens with produce, grass-fed beef, locally raised pork, coffee, baked goods, artisan-made products, and perhaps some surprises!
  • 10:30am - A performance of Hansel and Gretel by Award Winning Actress Gale Nemec.  Bring the kids, grab a seat in our hay bale mini-amphitheater, and enjoy the lovely fall weather! Plus, Mizz Nemec’s books make great gifts and will be available for purchase after the show.
  • 12:00pm - A cooking demo by local Chef Will Artley
  • 1:00pm - Market closes, with plenty of time to head down to Del Ray to watch (or march in) the Halloween Parade.
So come out to Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market, 4109 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria VA, 22305 on its closing day of the season!

Remember, 4MRMarket is open April through October on Sundays from 8am-1pm. We've had a lot of fun this year and it's been more than a pleasure. With this last 4MRMarket report until next year, we've put together this collage we call, "A year at the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market" with all of our favorite 4MRMarket memories.



We hope to see you Sunday...and in 2012!

PS. Happy Halloween! Why not wear a costume to the market?


_______________

Buy Fresh Buy Local 4MRMarket products.
The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market (Alexandria, Virginia 22305) brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. It is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run park and the surrounding neighborhood.
4MRMarket is open every Sunday from 8am until 1pm from May through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. (click here for directions)

For more info see: http://www.4mrmarket.org/
On Facebook: facebook.com/4MRMarket
Contact us at: 4mrm@arlandria.org
Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4mi-Run1


Friday, October 28, 2011

4MRMarket Special Report "Chef Will Artley Cooking Demo" Edition


Buy fresh produce, see a show, AND a great cooking demo from neighborhood celebrity chef Will Artley!

As we reported yesterday, this Sunday will be this year's last Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market of the season, but it will be a great one! We've added a cooking demo at 12 noon by Chef Will Artley.

Chef Artley is one of the DC area's rising star chefs.  He recently decided to part ways with Evening Star, but he's a huge supporter of the farmers market and local food movement. Not to mention, he knows what to do with those great fresh ingredients once he gets his chef's knife on 'em! Come learn a few tips and tricks, and maybe there will be some samples to pass around!

Here is the schedule for Sunday:
  • 8:00am - Market Opens with produce, grass-fed beef, locally raised pork, coffee, baked goods, artisan-made products, and perhaps some surprises!
  • 10:30am - A performance of Hansel and Gretel by Award Winning Actress Gale Nemec.  Bring the kids, grab a seat in our hay bale mini-amphitheater, and enjoy the lovely fall weather! Plus, Mizz Nemec’s books make great gifts and will be available for purchase after the show.
  • 12:00pm - A cooking demo by local Chef Will Artley
  • 1:00pm - Market closes, with plenty of time to head down to Del Ray to watch (or march in) the Halloween Parade.
So come out to Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market, 4109 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria VA, 22305 on its closing day of the season!

4MRMarket is open April through October on Sundays from 8am-1pm.

PS. Happy Halloween! Why not wear a costume to the market that day?

Thursday, October 27, 2011

4MRMarket Special Report: "Special Performance Caps Off End of Season" Edition



Buy fresh produce and see a show!

The end of this years' Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market season is approaching this Sunday October 30th. And we're throwing a party.

Come see a stunning performance by an acclaimed neighborhood actress and hear about some other surprises that are in store for next year.
Join us for this classic Fairy Tale told by Mizz Gale Nemec, Award Winning Actress and Author  of Children’s Educational Picture Books. Sunday, Oct 30th, 10:30am. One show only!
At the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market, 4109 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria VA, 22305 on its Closing day of the season!

Mizz Nemec brings all the characters to life in this engaging story by the Brothers Grimm. Directed by Award Winning Director: John Strawbridge.
Free! Donations are welcome. Plus! Mizz Nemec’s books make great gifts and will be available for purchase after the show.

PS. Happy Halloween! Why not wear a costume to the show?

The $200 Park goes LARGE

The former electrical substation before Stormaggedon.
When the City of Alexandria purchased 3550 Commonwealth Avenue from Dominion Power, they had Open Space funding available and a goal of expanding park space, but they didn't really have a plan for it. What happened next though was something really magical.

Neighborhood volunteers teamed with City staff to forge ahead even in the face of economic troubles and budget crises. For just $200 it started to resemble a park, using only cast-off garden plants donated by neighbors and mulch ground up from cut-down, unhealthy, storm-battered trees formerly used to screen the old substation. For regular readers of The Arlandrian this is not news. We documented the progress along the way with our stories: "Where Did THAT Garden Come From?" and "New Park Uncovered At Spring for Alexandria". The tale of a community coming together is something that we are really amazed by and, frankly, more than a little proud.

And that gamble by citizens, that investment out of pocket and in blood, sweat and tears, didn't go unrewarded. Today they get their return. Dominion Power, already supporters of the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market through their Dominion Green outreach program, have stepped up to assist at the Reed Avenue Park as well.  Here's their press release:
Dominion volunteers will work with City of Alexandria Department Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and community volunteers to turn a former substation into a beautiful community park. Alexandria community volunteers began to create the neighborhood park by adding flower beds and a walking path. Dominion volunteers will help continue the transformation by replacing shrubs and trees that have signs of decay and rotting with new trees that will provide shade for park users expand the walking path and plant additional flowers in the garden.

The Dominion Foundation donated $2,500.00 to help with the project and more than 20 employees will spend part of the day volunteering. Thursday, October 27, 2011 8am–1pm.
When The Arlandrian stopped by early this morning, the Dominion team was already well along. Throughout the day, despite the rain, the volunteers reestablished the paths and garden started by community members last year. And with help from City crews, fresh mulch was laid from the last of the broken trees (the victims of all of the weather events over the last year or so). The City also matched the Dominion dollar contribution with additional plantings. All in all, 4 new maples, 3 crepe myrtles, and 12 arborvitae have now made the community gardening project into a bona fide pocket park. The boost by Dominion and the City was exactly what the project needed to get the park to a place where community members can continue to build on and maintain. Mayor Euille rushed to the neighborhood between official duties to express the community's gratitude and appreciation to the crew during their lunch break. Still a work in progress, a story that is still unfolding, the Reed Avenue Park at 3550 Commonwealth Avenue is an incredible neighborhood accomplishment that continues to reflect the community pride.




Wednesday, October 26, 2011

New Potomac Yard Metro Alternative West of CSX Tracks

Intial Alternatives Considered
(EIS Screening of Alternatives Presentation)
The hope of a Potomac Yard Metro station on the west side of the CSX tracks is still alive.

More importantly, during the City's scoping phase of the Environmental Impact Statement preparation, Alternative D3 was introduced and kept on the table. This is important, because options on the west side (the Route 1 side) of the CSX tracks move the metro closer to more potential riders and will therefore increase potential ridership. If you've followed the PY Metro news closely, you'll recall that the 'D' series of alternatives are aerial station options that require the tracks to elevate, cross over to the west side of the the CSX tracks, then return to the east side to rejoin the existing tracks. (Read more about PY Metro here and here. Also, see the official site.)

The aerial alternatives had all been deemed prohibitively expensive and/or technical infeasible. But during the scoping phase of the EIS, the new D3 alignment for an aerial station within the PY development footprint proved a contender. It is listed in the EIS Initial Screening of Alternatives as: "Consistent with purpose and need, consistent with land use and development plans, technically feasible, [and] financially feasible." In fact, all five remaining options meet these four criteria.

The Arlandrian has previously reported the PY Metro Advisory Group's findings that show the 'D' (aerial station) and 'C' (underground station) series of alternatives significantly increase the amount of potential development, and therefore people, within the 1/4 mile and 1/2 mile walkshed. They move the station further into the eventual PY development area, and also closer to the medium density neighborhoods to the west. These neighborhoods include Arlandria, Del Ray, Lynhaven, etc. Alternative 'A' would serve significantly fewer people without a lengthy walk, which will drive some away from Metro as a feasible transportation option. The new D3 option is close to options B1, B2, and B3, but if it is on the west side of the CSX tracks, it saves a lot of walking and one set of steps (you'd have to go up, over, and down to get to any alternative to the east of the CSX tracks). Options D1 and D2, which did not make the cut, were further north and so would have served the planned densest part of the yard even more conveniently, but did not prove technically feasible. Review the report for more information about feasibility.

The underground station alternatives proved to be extremely expensive, and based on the EIS scoping document, not technically feasible. The proximity to Four Mile Run and the CSX tracks appears to be to blame. With option D3 on the table, the PY Metro station could serve almost as many people as the underground and alternate aerial options for a much smaller cost.

Other new alternatives that were considered during the scoping session and found incompatible with stated goals were a VRE station, parking garages, and additional stations developed in other parts of Alexandria. When a final alternative is chosen, it will be compared with the no-build scenario. At that point, the PY Metro Station Implementation Work Group will send the EIS forward to WMATA. The public has opportunities for input throughout. See the high level project schedule below (with projected station opening in 2016).
Potomac Yard Project Schedule (EIS Screening of Alternatives Presentation
This decision on which alternative to choose is far from made. One of the reasons the 'D' series of alternatives was rejected earlier was the developer didn't want to deal with building out the PY development while working around Metro construction. This is still a possible concern, though perhaps the new alignment was devised to mitigate this impact. It is also possible that option D3 is still more expensive than option 'A' and the various 'B' options. More information should be available tonight.

There is a public meeting tonight to review the Initial Screening of Alternatives at 6:30pm in the City Hall, Council Work Room, 301 King St.. Please attend if possible and lend your support for option D3.

Potomac Avenue is open!

This morning Potomac Avenue quietly opened for traffic. The new road in Potomac Yard connects Route 1 and Monroe Avenue to Crystal Drive in Crystal City via a re-purposed old railroad bridges over Four Mile Run.  The Arlandrian took a tour:


Turning South onto Potomac Avenue in Crystal City.

Approaching 33rd Street

At the intersection with South Glebe Road.

Heading onto the bridge over Four Mile Run into Alexandria with
the view of car heading north confirms it.
(I swear I heard someone complain about the traffic)


Looking back north toward Arlington behind the Target.


Work has started to connect the grid. 

At the other end: Potomac Avenue where it connects to
Route 1 and Monroe Avenue (via Main Line Blvd).





Sunday, October 23, 2011

4MRMarket Report: "Come Enjoy the Weather" Edition

Help 4MR Park realize its revitalization!
This Sunday's 4MRMarket (from 8am to 1pm) should be a sunny, perfect early fall day, ranging from the low 60s to the mid-70s. What better way to spend a day like that than to get out. Come enjoy fresh produce, coffee and tea, baked goods, and great artisan crafts. There are only 4 markets left including tomorrow, so get your fresh food fix for the fall!

Just like every week, you can enjoy a tasty pastry in the 4MRMarket Lounge, and once again, Travis is cooking up a surprise for lucky market goers to sample!

See the "DONATE" note, below about helping get 4MR Park renovations even further along!  This fall, the City will start converting the vacant lots into a beautiful park plaza.  There are limited funds to do this project, so donations would be very helpful!

Here are other ways to help keep this community enterprise alive:


The supercool 4MRMarket t-shirt
BUY. Proceeds of our 4MRMarket T-shirts go to support the expansion and revitalization of 4MR Park. They cost $12 and come in 4 colors. See us model a few at next week's market or pre-pay online via Pay-Pal (send money to 4MRM@arlandria.org).


DONATE. Help 4MRMarket help 4MR Park. Tax-deductible donations can be made to support us in our efforts to revitalize Four Mile Run Park. Donate to the City's Living Landscape Fund. More information here.


HELP. If you'd like to volunteer with the 4MRMarket, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org to sign up or look for the "volunteer" tab on our website. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT sales, help us keep our books, help set up or tear down for the market, or help us find musicians to play the market. You can also find a Market Manager to ask to help, or email us at 4mrm@arlandria.org for more info.


READ. Keep up to date on all the goings on by following 4MRMarket on Facebook or Twitter or via our website  and blog.


SPREAD THE WORD.  Please tell folks about us. And tell folks about some of the great things we're doing. For instance, all SNAP/EBT participants can take advantage of the Inova-sponsored "Double Dollar" program that doubles the first $10 SNAP participants spend at the market. 4MRMarket is the first farmers’ market in Northern Virginia (and still the only) to accept SNAP. 




Here is who you'll find at 4MRMarket this week:
  • Pleitez Produce (Northern Neck) - A full range of locally grown produce, herbs, and more. 
  • Bread and Chocolate (Arlandria) - A range of baked goods.
  • C and T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce. 
  • St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and a few extra goodies. 
  • Simply Healthy Water (Vienna, VA) - Try Dennis and Eileen's homeostatic filtered water and see if it's something you want to be able to enjoy every day.
  • Indigo's Friends - Come see Imani Russel's upcycled line of clothing and jewelry.  Reduce, Reuse, and Upcycle, indeed!
  • Mujeres Artesanas de Alexandria (MAdA) - Hand-made crafts.
  • Uncommon Knits (WV) - Handwoven linens made with 100% cotton and hand-stitched hems for your kitchen, dining room and bath.
  • The Stifler Farm (What's For Dinner Now) (Shenandoah) are back from vacation selling grass-fed beef and pasture raised pork. And sausages!
Crafts available on a rotating basis.

Plan ahead and contact any of these great folks online if you'd like to shop virtually during the week.

VeloCity bike co-op should be on-site doing teaching bike maintenance and repair, depending on volunteer availability today.


VeloCitizen Kris bringing the mobile
bike repair shop to 4MRMarket
_______________

The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market (Alexandria, Virginia 22305) brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. It is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run park and the surrounding neighborhood.

4MRMarket is open every Sunday from 8am until 1pm from May through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. 
Buy Fresh Buy Local 4MRMarket products.

For more info see: http://www.4mrmarket.org/
On Facebook: facebook.com/4MRMarket
Contact us at: 4mrm@arlandria.org
Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4mi-Run1

Sunday, October 02, 2011

4MRMarket Report: "The Home Stretch" Edition

Delicious Fall Greens are now available!
Photo from Troo Food Liberation
It's a brisk fall morning at 4MRMarket, and we're all set to go.  This is our last month for the 2011 edition of the market, so come out and make it a great last hurrah!  We have veggies, meat, baked goods, etc. just like every week, and the Market Lounge is set up to enjoy a nice fresh breakfast, and Travis is cooking up a surprise for lucky market goers to sample!

Today we'll draw the names for four lucky winners for a $5 Gift Tokens as our way to reward customer loyalty.


Here are other ways to help keep this community enterprise alive:


The supercool 4MRMarket t-shirt
BUY. Proceeds of our 4MRMarket T-shirts go to support the expansion and revitalization of 4MR Park. They cost $12 and come in 4 colors. See us model a few at next week's market or pre-pay online via Pay-Pal (send money to 4MRM@arlandria.org).


DONATE. Help 4MRMarket help 4MR Park. Tax-deductible donations can be made to support us in our efforts to revitalize Four Mile Run Park. Donate to the City's Living Landscape Fund. More information here.


ANSWER. Do you like to bike to 4MRMarket? If so, please fill out this survey from the League of American Bicyclists to help get 4MRMarket certified as an official Bike Friendly Business.


HELP. If you'd like to volunteer with the 4MRMarket, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org to sign up or look for the "volunteer" tab on our website. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT sales, help us keep our books, help set up or tear down for the market, or help us find musicians to play the market. You can also find a Market Manager to ask to help, or email us at 4mrm@arlandria.org for more info.


READ. Keep up to date on all the goings on by following 4MRMarket on Facebook or Twitter or via our website  and blog.


SPREAD THE WORD.  Please tell folks about us. And tell folks about some of the great things we're doing. For instance, all SNAP/EBT participants can take advantage of the Inova-sponsored "Double Dollar" program that doubles the first $10 SNAP participants spend at the market. 4MRMarket is the first farmers’ market in Northern Virginia (and still the only) to accept SNAP. 




Here is who you'll find at 4MRMarket this week:
Have a heart.
Sampling fresh sausage and variety meats.
  • The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" (Shenandoah) - Natural, locally farm-raised black Angus beef, and now fresh, farm raised Pork, including bacon and andouille, chorizo, and breakfast sausage! (all flash frozen for convenience) 
  • Pleitez Produce (Northern Neck) - A full range of locally grown produce, herbs, and more. 
  • Bread and Chocolate (Arlandria) - A range of baked goods.
  • C and T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce. 
  • St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and a few extra goodies. 
  • Simply Healthy Water (Vienna, VA) - Try Dennis and Eileen's homeostatic filtered water and see if it's something you want to be able to enjoy every day.
Crafts available on a rotating basis.

Plan ahead and contact any of these great folks online if you'd like to shop virtually during the week.

VeloCity bike co-op should be on-site doing teaching bike maintenance and repair, depending on volunteer availability today.


VeloCitizen Kris bringing the mobile
bike repair shop to 4MRMarket
_______________

The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market (Alexandria, Virginia 22305) brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. It is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run park and the surrounding neighborhood.

4MRMarket is open every Sunday from 8am until 1pm from May through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. 
Buy Fresh Buy Local 4MRMarket products.

For more info see: http://www.4mrmarket.org/
On Facebook: facebook.com/4MRMarket
Contact us at: 4mrm@arlandria.org
Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4mi-Run1