BRT Final Designs go to Planning Commission

The Alexandria Planning Commission will hold their regular monthly meeting tonight where the items of interest include a public hearing and recommendation for the design of the transitway stations along Route 1 (Tues. 7/2 at 7:30 PM, City Hall, Council Chambers).

The Route 1 Transitway design was approved by the Planning Commission at the May 1st, 2012 hearing. At that time, the design of the Transitway stations was still conceptual, but because of the importance of these stations, the Commission requested that once the design was more complete, the final design be reviewed by the Planning Commission.

City staff has advanced the design, provided two opportunities for public input on the station design, including a public meeting and an online survey, and is presenting the final design for review by the Planning Commission.

The station design is similar to the form and design to be used by Arlington County. Riders will pay their fare before boarding the vehicle, using a proof of payment system and periodic enforcement checks through the corridor. This will allow for passengers to board all doors of the vehicle, decreasing vehicle "dwell times" at the stations and resulting in a more efficient service and shorter travel times. Off-board fare collection equipment on the station platforms will be fully integrated with the regional SmartTrip card. Additional equipment will be provided that accepts coins and credit cards.

Transitway stations will include electronic signage displaying predictions regarding bus arrival times, as well as system or emergency information, as needed. Real-time information displays attract riders by providing greater and more reliable information. The station platform height is set at 10-inches (rather than 6-inches as a regular curb). This additional height reduces the need for the vehicle to kneel to allow passengers to board, thus reducing dwell times at stations and improving the efficiency of the service. The crosswalks within the dedicated portion of the Transitway and adjacent to Transitway stations, will include colored (brick red) concrete. The crosswalks will be 10 feet wide and will be lit to an average 2.0 footcandles to ensure visibility and a safe pedestrian environment. 

The existing pedestrian signal push buttons will be upgraded to allow for audible message capability rather than audible chirping.Colored concrete will distinguish the Transitway from the surrounding roadway. A representation of rail lines from the rail yard will be incorporated at Transitway stations.

According to the City Staff report, 

"The final design is a high quality station structure design consistent with the intent of what has been previously represented to the community and Planning Commission. The stations have also been designed in a way that integrates the unique and identifiable elements of the City and Potomac Yard."

Construction for the Route 1 Transitway is on schedule with operation of the transitway to begin in the Spring/Summer of 2014. Once the transitway construction is complete, the staging area will be removed and the site will be restored to its present condition.
For more information on the project, check out: Route 1 Transitway Project

Recent related post from The Arlandrian:

• Potomac Yard groundbreaking along East Glebe Road
• The Birth of the SuperStop
• Name the BRT!
• Regarding our evolving transit structure
• Alexandria's Update on Route 1 Bus Rapid Transit Plans
• Alexandria Has Some Catching Up To Do. Route 1 Would Be a Good Start.

4MRMarket Report: "Load up for Independence Day" Edition

Get ready for the 4th at 
4MRMarket! (Image: wikipedia.org)

Happy almost Independence Day!  This Sunday's 4MRMarket is just 4 days before the 4th of July and all those cookouts and parties you have planned. Make sure to load up on pasture-raised beef and local pork from Stifler Farms and lots of great sweet corn and other grillable veggie goodies from C&T Produce. Top off burgers like a true gourmand with a perfectly crafted cheese of your choice from Tom's Amish Cheeses!

The key ingredients you need for a great, sustainably sourced 4th of July are right in your back yard at this Sunday's 4MRMarket! Some come on down.

On top of the Sunday goodies, you can bop along or feel a bit souldful with local crooner Frenchie LeBlanc on the 4MRMarket Stage!  From about 10-noon, Frenchie will grace our stage for the second time this season with his Swing’n Blues, Rockabilly, HonkyTonk, and Old School Rock n’ Roll mix of music for all ages. Perhaps you caught Frenchy's performance in early May when he livened up the stage with some great tunes. Come back for the encore!

Groove to Frenchi LeBlanc on the
4MRMarket Stage from 10-noon

Please see the 4MRMarket FaceBook event page for more information about the show!

The Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Win campaign continues this weekend at 4MRMarket!! Remember to bring your “Farm. Fresh. Pledge.” punch card if you already have one. Or, if you didn't get started yet, just ask for one at 4MRMarket and earn one punch for each $10 you spend on Virginia Grown products.

Collect all 14 punches for a chance to win a Virginia Grown® / Virginia’s Finest® gift basket valued at $250. (See the official rules for more details).

You can fill up your bags with a great selection of produce, meat, cheese, teas, health and beauty products, and more.

Here is what's at 4MRMarket this week:

• C &T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce from a locally, family-run farm in Stafford, Virginia.
• The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" - Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... Uncle Frank's Grilling Sauce!!
• Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese and yogurt, farm-fresh eggs, and Pennsylvania honey.
• Fluffed Up Desserts - (Alexandria) - Gourmet Marshmallow treats and macarons.  Also enjoy a breakfast s'more at this weekend's market.
• Whole Health Medical (Alexandria) -  Organic teas and body scrubs from one of the largest Message and Acupuncture Therapy businesses in Northern Virginia (approved by the Alexandria Health Department).
• St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
• Charlette Marie Beauty (Centreville, VA) - A naturally effective, eco-friendly, line of handmade bath and body skin care goodies. Her products are made with bio-dynamic, natural botanical active ingredients.

Crafts available on a rotating basis.

See below all the ways to help and participate in the market!

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 the market.  You can pre-pay online via Pay-Pal (send money to 4MRM@arlandria.org).

DONATE. Help 4MRMarket help 4MRPark. 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 to fund tree and other amenities at 4MRExpand 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 4MRMarket@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 again this year 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. And C&T Produce now accepts SFMNP vouchers!

__________________________________

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 April 14th until November 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

On Twitter: @4MRMarket

Contact us at: 4MRMarket@arlandria.org

Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4mi-Run1

Help Inform Revised 4MR Park Plan

Community members have until the end of June to provide input to inform the revised draft of the Four Mile Run Park being prepared over the Summer for consideration by City Council in the Fall. 

The first draft of the long range plan for Four Mile Run Park was released for public review and feedback in May. 

Alexandria's Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities began a multi-year process last year to develop a Citywide Large Park Improvement Plan, the goal of which was to review the existing conditions and future needs for Alexandria’s large, city-owned, multi-use parks. Along with Four Mile Run Park, the other parks studied include: Simpson Stadium Park, Chinquapin Park, Henlsey Park, Holmes Run Park, and Ben Brenman/Boothe Parks (click on each to go straight to the draft plans).

Four Mile Run Park Draft Improvement Plan

The full Four Mile Run Park Draft Plan, based the user needs identified during the process is available online, here.

Public input was solicited at a park workshop on the plan inMay at the Cora Kelly Recreation Center.

Here's a summary of what the Parks department heard from the park users (click here to see a full Summary of Community Feedback on Four Mile Run Park):

Ranking of 4MR Park Priorities

Athletics

• Develop better pick-up game areas
• Install covered dugouts and fix the backstops
• Renovate the courts
• Re-orient field #3 for better shade and enhance seating area
• Install netting along Frank Mann field
• Improve parking for athletic fields 

Natural Resources

• Preserve and enhance the Park’s natural areas, including the wetlands
• Remove invasive species
• Plant trees along the alleyways 

Access

• Improve the connections between the trail, pathways and Park uses
• Build a bridge over the channel to connect areas of the Park near Cora Kelly
• Re-pave the asphalt trail through the Park and connect it to Cora Kelly Recreation Center and School 

Athletics

• Develop better pick-up game areas
• Install covered dugouts and fix the backstops
• Renovate the courts
• Re-orient field #3 for better shade and enhance seating area
• Install netting along Frank Mann field
• Improve parking for athletic fields 

Design and Fixtures 

• Increase Park security through CPTED
• Cluster activities at entrances
• Formalize the overlook at the entrance to the wetlands
• Install area for fitness equipment behind Cora Kelly Recreation Center
• Add more park furniture
• Remove unfenced dog area and provide a fenced dog area
• Install a community garden
• Install mile markers
• Locate the playground in a more visible location
• Provide natural play spaces such as boulders and climbing features 

4MR Park Existing Conditions

Through the Citywide Large Park Improvement Plan, RPCA intends to determine budgeting priorities and recommendations for both short and long term incremental improvements, ensuring the Parks serve Alexandria’s needs now and into the future. Please contact Dana.Wedeles@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5491 with questions or concerns. 

4MRMarket Report: "The Music is Live!" Edition

 

Load up on veggies this weekend!
Photo by Catherine Kane of Arlandria

Plants may or may not grow better with music, but you can be sure that your veggies will taste even fresher and more delicious when you buy them while listening to some!

4MRMarket is the only farmers market in town where you have a stage filled with local talent week in and week out. We send our thanks to birthday boy Bill Rogers of St. Elmo's and the Birchmere who books all of our musical acts! (If you know Bill, be sure to wish him a happy birthday this week!)

This Sunday you can find a duo of talented musicians on the 4MRMarket Stage in an all in-the-family act known as Bro-Bro. As their name implies, Bro-Bro is a collaboration of brothers who love music and performing. They enjoy all kinds of music and provide an acoustical set perfectly suited for a variety of visitors in an outdoor venue such as the 4MRMarket. They enjoy connecting with audiences of all ages and are particularly gratified when inspiring others who may wish to take up an instrument or sing!


Bro-Bro will be brightening up the
4MRMarket Stage from 10-noon

Bro-Bro will take the stage from about 10 to noon, as has become the norm with our nearly weekly musical acts.

Please the 4MRMarket FaceBook event page for more information about the show!

The Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Win campaign continues this weekend at 4MRMarket!! Remember to bring your “Farm. Fresh. Pledge.” punch card if you already have one. Or, if you didn't get started yet, just ask for one at 4MRMarket and earn one punch for each $10 you spend on Virginia Grown products.

Collect all 14 punches for a chance to win a Virginia Grown® / Virginia’s Finest® gift basket valued at $250. (See the official rules for more details).

You can fill up your bags with a great selection of produce, meat, cheese, teas, health and beauty products, and more.

Here is what's at 4MRMarket this week:

• C &T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce from a locally, family-run farm in Stafford, Virginia.
• The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" - Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... Uncle Frank's Grilling Sauce!!
• Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese and yogurt, farm-fresh eggs, and Pennsylvania honey.
• Fluffed Up Desserts - (Alexandria) - Gourmet Marshmallow treats and macarons.  Also enjoy a breakfast s'more at this weekend's market.
• Whole Health Medical (Alexandria) -  Organic teas and body scrubs from one of the largest Message and Acupuncture Therapy businesses in Northern Virginia (approved by the Alexandria Health Department).
• St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!

Here is our list of craft and beauty product vendors for this Sunday!

• Old Town Suds - (Alexandria) This maker of eco-friendly soaps, cleaning supplies, bath bombs, and more! Old Town Suds started because Steffanie was allergic to most commercial soaps on the market; then she became really sick and wondered if her health was being made worse by everyday chemicals. Their decadent soaps & nose-pleasing cleaning products are tough on dirt but easy on humans, pets, and the Earth. Look for Port City Beer soap & Legend (Richmond, VA) Beer soap plus the Cup of Joe soap that looks like a latte!
• Charlette Marie Beauty (Centreville, VA) - A naturally effective, eco-friendly, line of handmade bath and body skin care goodies. Her products are made with bio-dynamic, natural botanical active ingredients.

Crafts available on a rotating basis.

See below all the ways to help and participate in the market!

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 the market.  You can pre-pay online via Pay-Pal (send money to 4MRM@arlandria.org).

DONATE. Help 4MRMarket help 4MRPark. 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 to fund tree and other amenities at 4MRExpand 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 4MRMarket@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 again this year 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. And C&T Produce now accepts SFMNP vouchers!

__________________________________

 

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 April 14th until November 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
On Twitter: @4MRMarket

Contact us at: 4MRMarket@arlandria.org

Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4mi-Run1

Po Siam Closing. New Restaurant Coming.

A change of ownership application has been filed with the City of Alexandria for a new restaurant at 3807 Mount Vernon Avenue. Po Siam Thai Restaurant will close at the end of June.

Long-time Arlandria stalwart Po Siam has been sold, but current restaurant owner "Mr. Nicky" (Nirum Vongpukkeaw) will retain ownership of the building that he first acquired in 1995.

The new yet-unnamed restaurant will be operated by Sheela Perera already a fixture on the Avenue. Sheela and her husband Stanley run the Subway franchise nearby.

The Pereras anticipate no physical changes to the restaurant at 3807 other than a new name and menu, but we've heard that the cuisine will no longer be Thai.

Nicky and the Peraras are both active in the recently formed Arlandria-Chirilagua Business Association (see picture below).

We're sad to see Po Siam go. We have fond memories of many meals there and Nicky has always been a good friend, and we wish him well. He's worked hard and deserves a break. And this news is bittersweet as we're more than a little excited to see what the future has in store for the Pereras' new venture.

ACBA members: from left to right:
Albert Sacks (Atlas Insurance Agency), Nirum Vongpukkeaw (Po-Siam Thai Restaurant),
Juan Nelson Zavaleta (Sea Tax Services), Sharon Eddy (State Farm Insurance Agency),
Beariz Ríos (Beatriz International Hair Salon & Beauty Academy)
and Stanley Perera (Subway).

Make sure to stop by and see Po Siam off. This is your last chance at some very fine Thai food (really the best we've ever had). Check out their menu the 4 star review here on Yelp.