September 2008 Archives
September 30, 2008
Sidewalk Hearing Update. Comments (11)
Vienna Residents Split on Need for More Sidewalks
by BRIAN TROMPETER, Staff Writer
(Created: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 7:42 AM EDT)
Sidewalks are great, in theory, but the proverbial shoe leather meets the concrete when it comes time to build them in one's own neighborhood.The Vienna Sidewalk Task Force on Sept. 22 presented the Vienna Town Council with a prioritized list of 50 projects designed to improve pedestrian access and safety.
Town officials estimated the bill for all the projects would be just over $16 million. Sidewalks would cost about $185 per linear foot - up 50 percent since the task force reported to the Town Council in March 2007.
The sidewalks would cost $340 per linear foot if curb and gutter were included and a whopping $738 per foot if drainage and street improvements are added to all of the above, town officials said.
Several residents who attended the meeting said sidewalks and other improvements were not appropriate for their neighborhoods.
Most of the opposition arose from residents on Windover and Moore avenues.
September 29, 2008
"Everyone wants to live in a nice-looking town, you know what I'm saying?" Comments (0)
Old McLean Wonders If It Wants to Be NewBy Michael Laris
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 29, 2008; B01The tired strip mall at the heart of McLean, for decades a convenient place to stop for hardware, dry cleaning and pizza, is facing a major overhaul.
This, in itself, might not seem to merit a place in the annals of American redevelopment. After all, which Washington suburb, even in down economic times, doesn't have planners or property owners conjuring up ambitious ways to turn aging swaths of asphalt into walkable hubs filled with shops and housing that can be marketed as, in today's development parlance, a new downtown or town center?
But the bid to remake the center of one of Northern Virginia's most prestigious addresses has raised questions that go beyond the typical tussles that come with change.
Among them: What's better for the community -- a new "Main Street" developed by a McLean resident who heads a multibillion-dollar construction company that built the Reston Town Center and Nationals Park, or the creaky, weathered stores that have built loyal followings over decades? Is McLean, where the Little League field remains a prime gathering spot, ready to become more like Bethesda? And how do you please everyone in a place where so many people are used to getting what they want? Adding to the unease, the developer has not made his plans public or offered shop owners any assurances that they will have a home in the new McLean.
Continue reading ""Everyone wants to live in a nice-looking town, you know what I'm saying?"" »
September 25, 2008
Spring Elections in Vienna. Comments (5)
Since someone asked, elections are in May 2009. HistoricVienna.com would love to vote for someone other than an incumbent. We are actually rather perplexed here at the HV headquarters - Obama signs are ALL over town. Citizens seem to want and embrace change on the national level but here in Vienna, they are committed to putting the same tired and worn out politicians into office EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
Do not sit back and wait. Be the person who runs for office. Stick your neck out. Change will be better. DEMAND SOMETHING ELSE. DEMAND SOMETHING BETTER.
Who won last year?
Vienna Town Council Results
Edythe Frankel Kelleher * 666 35%
Laurie Genevro Cole * 636 33%
Michael J. Polychrones * 607 32%
Key: * Incumbent
Precincts: 100%
Fall Elections. Comments (3)
Old news piece but just came to our attention. From Town of Vienna minutes:
Councilman Polychrones stated the Bill in the General Assembly that would force the Town to go to November Elections had failed in committee.
http://www.viennava.gov/allagendas/clerk_minutes20080204.htm
September 24, 2008
HistoricVienna.com May Cry, Too. Comments (7)
Everything in this town is an utter mess and these people want to cry over a train station?!
Vienna Looks For Federal Dollars to Refurbish Depot by BRIAN TROMPETER, Staff Writer (Created: Friday, September 19, 2008 9:55 AM EDT)Vienna officials soon may apply for a grant to renovate the Vienna Train Station, which dates from the mid-1800s. (Photo by Brian Trompeter)
Vienna officials soon may apply jointly with the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority for a federal grant to refurbish the town's historic train station.Restoring the station's interior and exterior likely would cost about $300,000, Vienna Parks and Recreation Director Cathy Salgado told the Vienna Town Council at a Sept. 15 work session.
The grant would be financed from transportation-enhancement program funds administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Federal money would cover 80 percent of the expense, while Vienna and the Park Authority would match 10 percent each.
Grant applications are scored according to VDOT criteria and approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Applicants must demonstrate a need for their proposed projects, show any potential educational or historical value to their communities, and list resources available for project completion.
The Town Council would have to approve the grant proposal at a regular meeting. Nov. 1 is deadline for the grant application.
Vienna might be able to use capital-improvement moneys for the project, if the grant is approved, Salgado said.
The station is located at Dominion Road and Ayr Hill Avenue, N.E., on the Park Authority's Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park right-of-way. The structure, which dates from the mid-1800s, hasn't handled train traffic since 1968.
The train station would be eligible for the grant because of its past association with transportation, Salgado said.
The station's electrical system has not been upgraded for 50 to 60 years, Salgado said. The building's waiting area would be restored but not its other room, which is home to a massive HO-scale train layout operated by the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders, she said.
The railroad club opens its display to the public for free on 10 Saturdays per year. The next open house is on Oct. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Vienna Mayor M. Jane Seeman said restoring the station long has been a goal of hers.
“For years, we've been trying to get the Park Authority to put money into it,” she said. “When you see the [refurbished train station] at Purcellville, you just want to cry.”
September 23, 2008
Do Nothing Council? Not So Fast! Comments (4)
From the throw away papers comes this piece of special writing:
"A resident complained of "arrogant" bikers who ignore the rules of the road, including that of crossing public streets. Councilwoman Maude Robinson agreed with the resident that some bicyclists did present ongoing safety problems. To improve the safety of the crosswalk of the W & OD Trail on Church Street, near Freeman House, the council approved the request to omit or move parking spaces on Church Street. The last parking space closest to the crosswalk will be removed."
Way to go Maud! Nice job! We think your efforts here are just incredible. To think that you have had a hand in Vienna politics from the Civil War to today is just awesome.
September 13, 2008
Me Love You Long Time. Comments (4)
Suspicious Event 08-9004
200 Block Cedar Lane, SE
September 8, 2008 10:42 p.m.
A female known to officers was observed acting suspiciously near the Cedar Lane Shopping Center. After conducting surveillance, she was interviewed by MPO Evans and PFC Shaver. The woman stated that she engages in sexual acts multiple times during the day with random males. The acts are committed in one of the nearby apartments. The woman was advised by Vienna Park Apartments management and the police not to return or she would be charged with trespassing.
From the town's own report: http://www.viennava.gov/Town_Departments/vpd_highlights/09-12-2008.pdf
September 10, 2008
Mayor Boob: "We believe in a free market, and we welcome businesses that fit into the Vienna environment." Comments (13)
What does Vienna environment mean exactly? Banks and mattress stores?
Empty Stores Reflect Economy
Vacancies rise with market slowdown.
By Donna Manz, The Connection
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Around Vienna, "For Lease" signs have been popping up in established shopping centers along and around Maple Avenue.
The former "That’s Amore" and Hancock’s Fabrics have been vacant for months. So, too, has the building that once housed Furniture Direct and C.L. Barnes. Apple Federal Credit Union has taken over part of the property, but the far end of the commercial center remains unoccupied.
What’s going on?
"Our retail vacancies are a function of the economy," said Gregory Hembree, director of Planning and Zoning for the Town of Vienna. "Office space is rented. It’s retail that is risky now."
"We get lots and lots of calls every day," said Hembree, "We look at the type of business and whether parking requirements fit the area."
Hembree said businesses do their research before contacting him.
"When we get inquiries, I tell businesses, ‘send me a proposal.’ We’ll help them to locate here. It makes sense to do business in our town."
Hembree says Trader Joe’s grocery stores have approached the Town, as had a major national drug store chain. "We’re always looking for good quality businesses to make a home in Vienna."
Unoccupied stores cast a shadow over the life of the Town. Shoppers are aware, as are other retail workers. And Hembree says that everyone has an idea of what should "go in" there, regardless of where "there" is. People know what they would like to see go into a vacant property, he says.
"Empty spaces always impact on the vitality of a town to some extent," said Mayor M. Jane Seeman. "We believe in a free market, and we welcome businesses that fit into the Vienna environment.
"We don’t have a budget for economic development," said the mayor. "We cannot afford fee-based intermediaries. We encourage prospective businesses to come to us with their interest."
SEEMAN, TOO, notes that the Town is approached daily by businesses aiming to locate or relocate to Vienna, and she agrees with Hembree that these businesses do their own market research on the viability of doing business in Vienna. "But Vienna is a prime location for businesses to locate here. They see the traffic going down Rt. 123, they see the housing growth. Businesses recognize the opportunity to do well here.
"Rents are going up in Vienna," said Seeman, "and businesses operate on a narrow profit/loss line. When the economy picks up, we’ll see more businesses coming into the town."
Many residents ask the mayor or the Town Council members why there are so many banks in town. Banks are among the few new businesses who can afford the high rents, the mayor says. "Business trends come and go … we used to have quite a few bagel shops several years ago," Seeman said.
"Things will bounce back here when the economy turns around."
Beyond vacant storefronts is the issue of shopping centers that are in need of updating or enhancement. The Town cannot demand improvements from businesses or commercial centers grandfathered in, but it does enforce zoning regulations.
"This is a big property rights state," said the mayor. "So we have little leverage to force owners to make improvements. If an existing property wants to expand or a new building wants to come in, it goes before the architectural board.
"In those cases, we can rule on signage and landscaping and design."
Hembree and Seeman are optimistic. Church Street is drawing new businesses, and many of the businesses located along Maple Avenue have been thriving there for dozens of years.
"Quite frankly, as long as the foreclosures continue, business people are sitting on their hands," Hembree said.
Maud, Remind Us Again How You Saved Moorefield. Comments (1)
Old House Finds New Home
New Oakton Community Park is home to historic schoolhouse.
By Donna Manz, The Connection
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
The brown clapboard structure on the corner of Hunter Mill Road and Chain Bridge Road that housed Appalachian Outfitters for 30 years before falling into disrepair has a new home at Oakton Community Park and a new life … not to mention many new coats of paint.
On Sept. 4, Chevy Chase Bank, which bankrolled the move from the schoolhouse’s original site in January 2007, presented a check for $200,000 to the Fairfax County Park Foundation for dual complementary purposes. Representatives from Chevy Chase Bank and the Fairfax County Park Authority, as well as Providence Supervisor Linda Q. Smith, participated in the brief ceremony.
"The bank was interested in the land," said Chevy Chase Senior Vice President Denise L. Pope, who presented the check. "We really wanted to be part of the community and support it.
"A lot of different parties came together to preserve this schoolhouse."
Continue reading "Maud, Remind Us Again How You Saved Moorefield." »
September 06, 2008
A River Runs Through NW Vienna. Comments (7)
NW Vienna is feeling the pains of no storm water management today.
We have a question for George Lovelace: Have you bothered to step out of your house today with a camera? Lewis Street is practically under water.
Corner of Orchard Street and Lewis Street NW
Running down Orchard Street towards Lewis Street.
Corner of Orchard Street and Lewis Street NW
Storm Drain on West Street
West Street
New House on Corner of Lewis Street and West Street across from George Lovelace's House.
Corner of Lewis Street and West Street
September 04, 2008
"Pretty Sweet." Comments (4)
Thanks for the "pretty sweet" reporting, Brian Trompeter.
Vienna Police Score Big in Vehicle-Design Competition
by BRIAN TROMPETER, Staff Writer
(Created: Saturday, August 30, 2008 6:44 AM EDT)
It's a small consolation for traffic scofflaws in Vienna, but the police cruiser that just pulled them over looks pretty sweet.
Law and Order magazine recently gave the Vienna Police Department the top award in the Chevrolet Impala category of its 20th annual Police Vehicle Design Contest.
“It is great for morale and the officers feel proud that they use equipment which others feel is superior,” said Master Police Officer Bill Murray, a Vienna police spokesman. “To be chosen by our peers means quite a lot.”
The national contest, which drew more than 400 entries this year, was judged by three public-safety professionals: Deputy Chief Mack Sanders of the Markham (Ill.) Police Department; Vicky Matyas-Smith, executive director of the Southwest Conference of Mayors; and Deputy Dan Roudebush of the Clinton County (Ind.) Sheriff's Office.
Entries were judged on whether they enhanced officers' safety and could be identified easily as a law-enforcement vehicle.
Judges looked for vehicle markings such as department symbols, easily readable lettering, a law-enforcement badge or community seal, emergency telephone numbers and official Web sites. Reflective tape, chevrons and decals also got the judges' attention.
Here's what the judges said about Vienna's vehicle: “The silver color is sharp and the combination with black and yellow goes together well. We like the way the graphics were executed. It is trendy and modern.”
Vienna police began phasing in the new vehicle graphics in late 2005. The appearance package costs about $500 per vehicle and has been ordered for new cruisers as they enter the department's fleet.
The department's older logos have been used since 1993. Only three marked vehicles still have the old logos, Murray said.
The new graphics were designed by Vienna police Sgt. Michael Reeves and Pfc. Pat Shaw, then circulated within the department for officers' input. After the comments were received, Capt. Michael Miller worked with the Graphix Shoppe to finalize the design, Murray said.
The logo splashes “Police” in bold capital letters across the passenger doors on both sides of the patrol car, plus “Vienna” in smaller letters below. One seven-point town police badge is pictured just behind the front wheels on either side of the vehicle and is connected, via two-toned racing stripes, with “Dial 911” above the rear wheels.
The car's number is affixed on several locations, including the roof, which helps police coordinate vehicles from the air during operations.
The sleek, modern graphic design is representative of the changing face of police work and “makes the car exciting, fun - and creates a sense of public pride,” Murray said.
The new graphics may have won in the Impala category, but the department's primary patrol vehicle remains the Ford Crown Victoria.
Vienna police experimented with an Impala for regular patrol work, but decided in November 2007 to stick with the Crown Victoria because it provided officers with superior comfort.
Impalas, which are smaller and get better gas mileage than the Crown Victorias, continue to be used by detectives and other department personnel who do not use their vehicles as their primary office all day, Murray said.
Vienna police also are investigating the use of hybrid vehicles for administrative roles, but lack sufficient testing data to know if hybrids can stand up to rigorous patrol duties, Murray said.
September 01, 2008
Mad Maud Part 2: Laurie Cole Waxing Poetic About Strip Malls Comments (11)
From the September Newsletter:
Asking the Right Question
By Laurie Genevro Cole
Vienna Town Councilwoman
It may seem obvious that how we frame a question can influence the answer we get. But recently I saw an article that brought this point home for me in a very important context for Vienna's future - how we go about planning development.
A Portland, Oregon, magazine posed the question: "With about a million more people arriving in the Portland metro area by 2030, what is the most important thing for the city to preserve?" This simple question turns upside down the approach to planning we've been dealing with in our area, where the object of planning typically is to identify what changes we want new development to bring.
Putting the emphasis on what we have now that we consider worth preserving seems a natural for our Town. It's perhaps just another way of saying that we want to keep Vienna's "small town feel." I'd like to see us make it an explicit planning principle as we move forward on planning Vienna's, and the region's, future.
For Maple Avenue, what would we like to preserve? I would like to preserve the opportunity for small, independent businesses and shops to locate there. These businesses serve the community not just by the items they sell or the services they provide, but also by providing places where we meet each other and share a "hello." This is a vital part of our community life that I value.
As a Town government, we can set policies to make our commercial districts attractive and desirable, to encourage businesses to locate here. We recognize that we can't compete with Tysons Corner and the retail stores that will choose to locate there. But we can provide an attractive alternative for business that serve our residents and support our economic base.
For the greater Tysons area, and the planning discussions that continue about its future, is there anything we can say we would like to preserve? I would like to preserve the boundaries separating Tysons development from the surrounding communities of Vienna, McLean and Falls Church, to protect our neighborhoods from encroachments of traffic and visual blight. I would also like to preserve our ability to move to and through Tysons, so we can share in the benefits of a more functional Tysons and so that we can maintain contact with our County neighbors in McLean, Falls Church and the rest of the area.
What would you like to preserve about Vienna? And because it is still a valid question, just not the only question what would you like to see changed? I hope all our citizens will join in these discussions as we plan our community's future.
The Big False Hope: Sidewalk Priority Hearing Comments (1)
This sham will take place in September. HistoricVienna.com highly doubts NW Vienna will ever get decent sidewalks:
At its September 22 meeting, the Town Council will hold a public hearing on a pro-posed list of sidewalk construction priorities. The meeting will begin at 8 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Town Hall, and all interested citizens are encouraged to attend.
In 2006 the Vienna Sidewalk Committee, composed of representatives from the Town’s Planning and Transportation Safety Commissions, conducted a survey to get citi-zen input on the need for additional pedestrian facilities. Based on the responses to that survey, the committee prioritized projects into four groups to recommend to the Town Council, giving top priority to areas without any sidewalks followed by areas with side-walks already on one side of the street. Other criteria included providing walking routes to schools, bus stops and shopping, and infill where sidewalks are not continuous.
The proposed sidewalks in Priority Group 1 are listed below. For a complete list of all four priority groups, go to www.viennava.gov or call the Public Works Department at 703-255-6381.
PROPOSED SIDEWALKS – PRIORITY GROUP 1
• McHenry Street, S.E., from Park to Fardale Streets (This project has been completed.)
• Windover Avenue, N.W., from Lawyers Road to Nutley Street
• Plum Street, S.W., from Cottage Street to Harmony Drive
• Park Street, N.E., from Church Street to Hilltop Road
• Moore Avenue, S.E., from Park Street to Ninovan Road
• Lewis Street, N.W., from Orchard Street to Windover Avenue
• Orchard Street, N.W., from Lewis Street to Windover Avenue
• Harmony Drive, S.W., from Cottage Street to the swim club
• Lawyers Road, N.W., from Blair Court to Abbottsford Drive
• West Street, N.W., from Lewis Street to Windover Avenue
• Dogwood Street, S.W., from Cottage to Center Streets
• East Street, S.E., from Maple Avenue to Echols Street
• East Street, N.E., from Maple Avenue to Church Street
• Talahi Road, S.E., from Park Street to Ninovan Road
• Nutley Street, N.W., from Maple Avenue to Knoll Street
