Since we have no pressing issues, we’ve decided to take the spring off! The Rock Spring Civic Association will not meet on May 6, as announced earlier. The next meeting is planned for Wednesday, September 16. In the meantime, though, plan to attend the Second Annual RSCA Picnic on July 18.
In response to petitions signed by Rock Springers, Arlington County is studying traffic issues on Rock Spring Road between Old Dominion and Little Falls, and on Little Falls Road between Old Dominion and Rock Spring. The petitions addressed speeding on both streets and failure of traffic to yield to pedestrians at the crosswalk by the Rock Spring Church and preschool. They asked for a traffic and speeding study; three-way stop signs at Little Falls and Rock Spring Roads; a "children crossing" sign and more emphasis for the preschool crosswalk; and consideration of speed humps for Rock Spring Road.
The petitions, circulated by Deirdre Donahue of 4957 Rock Spring Road, were presented to the Arlington County Board on February 7. The Board asked the County Manager to investigate and respond. The Arlington County Police Department confirmed that there is excessive speeding. For several weeks, the police department’s Special Operations Section conducted radar enforcement on Rock Spring Road and issued many tickets.
An April 13 letter from County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman forwarded the County Manager’s response, which discussed the police activity and reported that the Traffic Engineering Division had conducted field visits to the streets. An additional pedestrian crossing sign will be installed on Little Falls Road for southbound traffic, and the crosswalk will be painted with laddered markings to make it more noticeable. Traffic Engineering will work with Public Works Planning to determine whether speed humps are appropriate and also will conduct a study to determine whether three-way stop signs are warranted at Rock Spring and Little Falls Roads. No deadlines have been set for concluding these studies.
Old Dominion Drive Study Group Update
The study group met in April to consider the plan proposed by Arlington County Department of Public Works (DPW) for Old Dominion Drive. DPW modified its plan presented at the February study group meeting in response to comments submitted by study group members.
The DPW Old Dominion Drive proposal includes the section from Lee Highway to the Fairfax County line. The portion of interest to the study group extends from Glebe Road to the Fairfax line.
DWP is proposing to install sidewalks and curb and gutter, and to widen the roadway by two to three feet in both directions. The service road between 29th Street and Rock Spring Road would be used for a sidewalk. Sidewalks would be installed on both sides of Old Dominion from Rock Spring Road to Little Falls Road (the service road at Little Falls would be used). The sidewalk on the south side of Old Dominion would continue from Little Falls Road to 37th Street.
The next meeting of the study group will be held this summer. Flyers will be distributed door to door in the Old Dominion Drive area and will be mailed to everyone on the mailing list. To add your name to the mailing list, please call Paul Michl at 534-6205. All are welcome to attend the study group meeting.
When the study group completes its work, it is expected to make a recommendation to the Rock Spring Civic Association, which then will make a recommendation to the Arlington County Board. The County Board will make the final decision concerning Old Dominion Drive. There will be public hearings at the County Board and at the Planning Commission and/or the Transportation Commission. No dates have been scheduled.
RSCA Second Annual Picnic, July 18
Last year’s picnic was so much fun that we’re going to do it again. Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 18, 2-6 p.m. This year, RSCA will provide hot dogs and drinks. You’re welcome to bring something to share with a few neighbors.
We’re looking for a cul-de-sac or street that is willing to host the event. If your street is interested, or you’d like to help, please call Judy Wheat at 536-4658 or Lillian Ulmen at 538-6048. Watch for a flyer in July providing all the details. Hope to see you then!
Marymount To Renovate Student Center
Marymount University will soon begin renovations to Butler Hall, the school’s student center, built in 1961. The building will continue to house the same activities it currently does. A bookstore and a gymnasium will be added.
The existing building has 39,000 square feet of space. The renovation will add 31,000 square feet, including a new floor.
The architects, Marcellus Wright Cox & Smith, of Richmond, have designed a new entry pavilion that they intend to relate to the old Rixey mansion. The pavilion’s base will be white-painted brick, with Tuscan columns and a standing-seam metal roof.
During the construction phase, summer 1998 to summer 1999, all workers will park on site or commute via shuttle. There will be no parking in the adjacent neighborhoods, according to the contractor, James G. Davis, of Rockville, Md.
Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment and Potomac Overlook Regional Park announce the return of "Wednesday Night in the Park," beginning May 27. These relaxing evenings include food (donations accepted), a brief educational program, and some kind of outdoor activity. Programs include organic gardening, bicycling in Arlington, notable Arlington trees, and other environmental topics.
Call 528-5406 to reserve a place at the table, and come by directly from work. Dinner starts around 6 p.m.
Madison Senior Center and Marymount University’s School of Nursing are cosponsoring Wellness Fair ‘98 on Friday, May 15, 3-7 p.m., at the Marymount "Lodge" (next to the main building).
Come learn more about ways to promote healthy aging. Workshops will discuss exercise, diet, alternative medicine, depression, medication, spiritual dimensions of aging, and much more. Get your blood pressure checked. See demonstrations of tai chi and strength training. Find out about community resources. It’s all free! Refreshments, door prizes, and a clown, too. Call 228-5285 for more information.
Arlington
Dogs -- Frisky Business
Some 15,000 dogs live in Arlington, and ArlingtonDogs, a new group, wants to make sure they get the exercise they need.
The group supports safe dog exercise areas in the County. They also work to foster responsible dog ownership through efforts such as selling biodegradable dog waste bags, encouraging dog licensing, and promoting the use of dog exercise areas.
The County’s seven off-leash dog exercise areas are located at Barcroft Park, Benjamin Banneker Park, Glencarlyn Park, Madison Center, Shirlington Park, Towers Park, and Utah Park.
If you’d like more information, call 578-0522, or visit the website at /CapitolHill/Lobby/8901.
The January issue of The Rock Springer noted that plans for six new houses near Rock Spring Road and N. Dickerson Street were nearing approval. Arlington County’s Department of Public Works now says that the final plat has been approved and the subdivision recorded. A bond was received on March 4 from the owner, Eric Kendrick. Public Works also confirmed all approvals regarding wetlands from Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality.
Williamsburg Middle School’s PTA is sponsoring a presentation aimed at helping parents discuss sexuality with their children. The speaker, Sarah Brown, is director of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
The program will be in the school’s auditorium on May 20 at 7:30 p.m. It’s free and open to the public. For more information, call Laura Stepp, PTA vice president, at 532-3437.
The January issue of The Rock Springer noted that plans for six new houses near Rock Spring Road and N. Dickerson Street were nearing approval. Arlington County’s Department of Public Works now says that the final plat has been approved and the subdivision recorded. A bond was received on March 4 from the owner, Eric Kendrick. Public Works also confirmed all approvals regarding wetlands from Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality.
County Plans New Park, Seeks Community Advice
Arlington County is developing a park master plan for 5.3 acres of property at 6008, 6016, and 6022 Wilson Blvd., across from the Dominion Hills Shopping Center. The County acquired the property, including a turn-of-the-century Dutch colonial revival house, last year. A community forum and a site visit have been scheduled to gather ideas for the new park. The community forum will be held on Monday, May 18, 7:30-9:30 p.m., in the Central Library Auditorium. Staff will give an overview of the process and discuss general site conditions. A site visit on Wednesday, May 20, at 6:45 p.m. will provide an opportunity to see the new park property.
After the meetings, a staff team will develop concepts and present them to the community on Monday, July 13, for comment. Then the final plan will be developed and presented in mid-September. The last step will be to present the master plan to the Planning Commission and the County Board.
For more information, call Lisa Grandle, project coordinator, at 228-3332, or e-mail her at lgrand@co.arlington.va.us.
The Rock Springer is published periodically by the Rock Spring Civic Association (RSCA) and is mailed to all dues-paying members. The RSCA comprises 1,150 homes and is dedicated to keeping residents informed of issues that affect the neighborhood. It also represents neighborhood interests before the County Board and the Planning Commission.
Thanks for visiting RSCA’s home page at:
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