WASHINGTON (February 3, 2004) - A jury formed by the Smart Growth Alliance (SGA) has recognized a proposal for the redevelopment of the Arlington Main Post Office for contributing land use, transportation and environmental advantages to the Washington region.
The SGA is a coalition of five regional organizations: the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Coalition for Smarter Growth, Metropolitan Washington Builders’ Council and ULI Washington (a district council of the Urban Land Institute). These organizations, some of which have held opposing views on growth issues, formed the Alliance three years ago to research, identify and encourage land use, transportation and environmental policies and practices that support smart growth in the region.
The proposal recognized by the SGA is called Arlington Main Post Office and is a public/private partnership between the United States Postal Service and Keating Development Company. The proposed redevelopment calls for a mixed-use development consisting of a restored post office and distribution facility along with a mix of office, residential, flexible commercial work space as well as street front retail. The site is located one block from the Clarendon Metrorail station. Overall the proposal brings together an attractive blend of uses and maintains the art deco architecture of the surrounding neighborhood.
Tom Malone, Vice President of Development for Keating Development Company said “We are very pleased to receive this recognition from the ULI and Smart Growth Alliance. We worked diligently with the Clarendon Community, the United States Postal Service, and our consultant team to arrive at what we believe is a unique mixed use development that integrates public and private uses, adaptively re-uses two historic buildings, and fulfills smart growth and transit oriented development objectives.
“We believe that the design collaboration of Sandy Silverman of Dorsky Hodgson + Partners and Mary Oehrlein of Oehrlein & Associates resulted in a project design and massing that integrates the suggestions of the Arlington County community, staff, and Historic Affairs and Landmarks Review Board. The design is respectful of the two historic buildings on site and fulfills the community’s interest in creating “eclectic” architecture in Clarendon,” Malone said.
The SGA recognition program is now in its third year. Through the program, the Alliance highlights “smart growth” development proposals to raise awareness among public officials, citizen groups and developers of the long-term benefits of well-designed, pedestrian-oriented projects that incorporate a variety of uses and reduce dependency on autos as the sole means of mobility.
SGA members are advised and supported by representatives of more than 70 organizations, including the public sector, universities, businesses, local foundations, and environmental and civic groups from throughout the region. The SGA views alternatives to single-use, auto-oriented design as critical in accommodating the area’s future population -- now projected to rise by 1 million over the next 20 years.
Sam Black, chairman of the SGA jury and senior counsel at Squire, Sanders and Dempsey, LLP in Washington, said the Arlington Main Post Office redevelopment fulfills the criteria set by the SGA for measuring project proposals. The evaluation of the application was based on its location; proposed density, design and diversity of uses; access to transit and other transportation alternatives; environmental resources and conservation efforts, and benefits to the overall community. “The proposal for the redevelopment of the Arlington Main Post Office is an excellent example of how to achieve better use of an existing property without losing the integrity of and character of the surrounding neighborhood.”
Each quarter, the SGA evaluates project proposals in the Washington area that are under review or subject to review by local government regulatory agencies. Those representing the best examples of smart growth are publicized by the Alliance and highlighted by the Alliance during regular Alliance events. Since the recognition program began last year, the SGA jury has recognized more than a dozen applications in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia (see attached list). The program has also lent its support to the City of Falls Church for its City Center plan and to Eastern Village Cohousing in Silver Spring, Maryland.
“Developers are increasingly aware that a recognition of their proposal from the SGA jury can prove very helpful as they move forward with their projects,” Black said. “Because these projects tend to be innovative and complex, obtaining approvals from the local jurisdictions is often challenging. Through the recognition program, the SGA strives to highlight the benefits these projects offer to the surrounding communities and help break down barriers in the approval process.”
In addition to the development recognition program, the SGA is planning other activities, including a recognition program for conservation initiatives.
Information on the application process is available at www.sgalliance.org; or through e-mail:sga@uli.org
