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:

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 7^th (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

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 Nemec, presents 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

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?

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?