Some more good news for the neighborhood: the Growler bumped into Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks last week and he advised the Cranky One that the City has now finalized its purchase of the office building and parking lot owned by Ken Moll at N. Henry and Pendleton Streets.
The acquisition of this land is the first step in assembling the parcels needed to create a future public park behind the Wythe Street Post Office. The park was one of the neighborhood amenities that was promised to residents in the Braddock Road Metro small area plan.
Mr. Jinks said the tenants in the office building will have another 18 months or so before being required to relocate. He also seemed optimistic that the US Postal Service will move relatively quickly to develop a plan to relocate its distribution center elsewhere.
Now who says things aren't changing for the better around here!
35 comments:
Go team!
What about the lawn service company? They are the 3rd parcel.
Don't know about any lawn service company. There are three parcels on that square block. The first was the Moll property at 600 N. Henry, which includes the office building fronting on Henry Street and a parking lot behind (which may be what you are referring to).
In the middle of the block and at the northern end are the two parcels owned by USPS. They are 600A N. Henry Street and 610 N. Henry Street.
"Don't know about any lawn service company. There are three parcels on that square block. The first was the Moll property at 600 N. Henry, which includes the office building fronting on Henry Street and a parking lot behind (which may be what you are referring to). "
Ah, ok, yes its the parking lot I am referring to. There are always lawn service trucks in there.
It has been awhile since the Braddock meetings. Could someone refresh our memories with what the park will have?
Growler, what is your honest opinion about how the park will affect the overall Parker Gray area?
One one hand I think its great, but another side says that with all the reported problems around Adkins and Madden, this park will become a hotbed for troublemakers and other neighborhood issues.
I think its great for the neighborhood overall.
"It has been awhile since the Braddock meetings. Could someone refresh our memories with what the park will have?"
The amount of spoon feeding some require is gagging. Go online, read the relevant portions of the Plan, then comment.
Will the new park be a place where individuals who are barred from ARHA gather to do what ever they did which resulted in them being barred in the first place?
I don't believe the police can bar someone from a city park.
What also might be relevant to this blog post is an update on where we are with the Braddock plan in terms of implementation.
What was promised and outlined in that plan versus what has been delivered or will be reasonably delivered.
Hey Growler,
who is sponsoring this? Not familiar with the Parker Gray Roundtable.
Saturday, June 26 – Parker Gray Roundtable Community Day
Learn about the Parker-Gray Roundtable and get to know your neighbors at an old-fashioned block party. The event, which will be held at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St., from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., features barbecue, refreshments, music, Recreation Center open house, and health fair; and workshops on Parker-Gray history, employment programs, substance abuse prevention, summer recreation programs and more. For more information, contact Jack Browand at 703.746.5504.
"I don't believe the police can bar someone from a city park."
If Alexandria is anything like Fredricksburg, police cannot bar people from a city park. You need an owner of property to give authorization to bar someone. No one person represents the cities parks. There are "no trespassing" laws which can be enforced. If there are signs stating that the park is closed during certain hours a person can be cited for trespassing against the sign.
Problem is is that the punishment is a Class 4 misd. which carries no jail time and is only punishable by a maximum fine of $250. Like that would really deter and keep any thug away.
Is the Post Office near the discussed parcel of land closing?
I have concerns about loitering and crime at the park, too, which is why I argued against it at the Braddock Road meetings. Until the large concentration of public housing here is removed, this is going to continue to be a problem. I already see signs of loitering behind the new rec center. Burns me that they spend money on a park, then say they have no money to retain the COPS position there. Are they TRYING to increase crime again?
Did anyone else get that offensive flyer for "Parker Gray Day?" At first glance, I thought "What a great idea!! A neighborhood BBQ!!" But then, I see it's being thrown by the City and their special events will consist of things such as teen pregnancy prevention, joblink training, and all the usual stuff. And the City will entice people needing these services with taxpayer funded
"free food." Arrrrrghhhh!! Imagine the City throwing Del Ray Day or Rosemont Day and providing introduction to narcotics anonymous or voter rights reinstatement for felons. When will the City ever learn that PG, as a community, is not populated wholly by drug addicts, teen mothers, and chronically underemployed?????????
"When will the City ever learn that PG, as a community, is not populated wholly by drug addicts, teen mothers, and chronically underemployed?????????"
Under Hamer's direction Parker Gray has become a synonym for Alexandria's black underclass. The history is so distorted its no longer worth telling. Jeez! The Monarch was built where Colross once stood. Why not call the party social services day?
"The Monarch was built where Colross once stood."
You talking about Cressy? It was Archeaology that did the Colross dig. It would be nice if the city occasionally talked about the white history here.
We got the flyer, too. Loved the bit about the moon bounce AND substance abuse prevention!!! Great. Maybe EYA should include it in its marketing materials....
"Did anyone else get that offensive flyer for "Parker Gray Day?""
What is the Parker Gray Roundtable? Is this another one of those Englin-esqe community organizing events?
Is the Post Office near the discussed parcel of land closing???
"What is the Parker Gray Roundtable?"
1. A bunch of inner city apologists directed by citizens assistance to assist city government in yet another of their feel-good public relations strategies.
2. A bunch of inner city apologists who think chit chat will solve the public housing crime problems.
3. A bunch of inner city apologists who won't adopt Pendleton Park because A HWhite has moved.
Why did A HWhite move? Because there was a murder more or less in her back yard.
"Why did A HWhite move? Because there was a murder more or less in her back yard".
I would have done the same exact thing if someone in broad daylight was killed in my backyard. I don't concider that NIMBYism, I consider that common sense.
http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/recreation/info/ParkerGrayRoundtable.pdf
Co-Sponsored by the City of Alexandria and ARHA. It's really interesting what the city chooses to spend our money on.
The idea of a park sounds appealing, but it seems to me that it could very easily become an additional source of problems.
"The idea of a park sounds appealing, but it seems to me that it could very easily become an additional source of problems."
Let's ask the Parker Gray Roundtable to adopt Pendleton Park and test your theory. Personally I think your point is moot. The Post Office Park will be located between The Lofts, The Monarch, WOTCA and perhaps the Payne Street Condos. There will be many who care living nearby. The Helen Miller Park functions just fine Spa Court activities included.
"The idea of a park sounds appealing, but it seems to me that it could very easily become an additional source of problems."
Can the naysayers please take a hike? The city has spent a significant sum and made a good faith investment on behalf of the neighborhood. I am amazed but the follow through seems real.
"I am amazed but the follow through seems real."
I agree. What I'm looking for is proof of commitment. We've gotten the park, the second Bland officer remains until year's end, and if the city defends itself vigorously in court in November, then maybe it will not have been a bad year.
""I am amazed but the follow through seems real."
I would only caution that the City has never had a very good history of keeping its promises to Parker Gray residents.
OK, time for the Growler to catch up with a few questions that have been asked here.
What's been accomplished with the Braddock Road plan? In fact, the acquisition of the Moll property adjacent to the Post Office is the only solid accomplishment so far.
Rumors are that Erkiletian will start the Payne Street project soon, but we've heard those repeatedly. Skeptics will not want to hold their breaths. The Jaguar and Madison are in limbo and the economy and tight financial markets are being blamed. Most of the amenities being promised the neighborhood are contingent on contributions from development.
But in the neighborhood itself, there's good news. Sales are proceeding well for the Stage I townhouses at the Bland project. Keep your fingers crossed -- this will do more to palpably change our neighborhood than any project way up at the Metro station and beyond. Ditto Queen and Fayette Streets where extensive use of the Hunter-Miller park by parents and kids plus the opening of Cafe Nicole is creating a whole new and more positive vibe for the neighborhood.
Finally, someone asked about the Parker-Gray Roundtable. It was set up by the Mayor and the City in the wake of the murder behind the 600 block of N. West/N. Payne last year and brings together public housing residents with Parker-Gray homeowners and some area "stakeholders."
It isn't clear that the group has been convened to accomplish any tangible goal besides meeting regularly and sponsoring the occasional event with ARHA.
"Rumors are that Erkiletian will start the Payne Street project soon, but we've heard those repeatedly."
Maybe they're too busy starring in the Real Housewives of DC!
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/06/16/2010-06-16_untitled__dcwives16tv.html
At the community day event on the 26 the Parker-Gray roundtable will all be wearing shirts that will clearly mark they are apart of the roundtable so feel free to come up to us and give us your ideas on how to improve the area the workshops we choose were some of ours. I would also like to mention there is also going to be a session on the Parker-Gray History and Future Growth, A health fair,affordable housing information as well as the ones previsouly mentioned.So that we include everyone not just drug addicts, teen mothers, and chronically underemployed.I personally invite all of you to attend and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming meetings!!!
Hi Growler readers - just got this in the email, in case anyone is interested. If anyone goes, can they please report back? I have to work that evening.
Monday, June 21 - City Council Joint Community Meeting with ARHA Board
Alexandria City Council and the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority will host a joint community meeting at 7 p.m. at the Charles Houston Center, 901 Wythe St. This meeting will serve as the kickoff for ARHA's Strategic Plan. The City of Alexandria and ARHA will share information with each other and the public concerning recent organizational changes and current initiatives at ARHA; the City's Housing Master Plan process, and the community outreach plan for ARHA's Strategic Plan. The meeting will also include a community question and answer session. For more information, call 703.746.4990.
I was shocked to read in alexandrianews.org that the final defendant in the cab driver's murder was sentenced to only 12 years in prison yesterday, with the rest of the sentence suspended.
I think it's time this neighborhood started making itself heard to the Commonwealth's Attorneys office and the Alexandria judges. This measly sentence is an absolute outrage. As long as they continue to give light sentences (or fail to prosecute at all), crime will continue to be a problem in this neighborhood.
I'd be REALLY interested to know how many of Alexandria's judges and assistant commonwealth attorneys actually live in PG........
"I would also like to mention there is also going to be a session on the Parker-Gray History and Future Growth,"
Gag me with a racially biased spoon! Legal counsel is what we need including Billy boy's tolerance of reverse discrimination.
"feel free to come up to us and give us your ideas on how to improve the area"
End Res. 830 and bricks and mortar public housing. Disperse remaining sec 8 evenly throughout the city.
"Sales are proceeding well for the Stage I townhouses at the Bland project".
How can we keep track of this? I didn't see anything on the developers web site. Are the ARHA Resolution 830 replacements factored into the current sales data?
"I think it's time this neighborhood started making itself heard to the Commonwealth's Attorneys office and the Alexandria judges."
i have been pounding my fists on the table over this issue for ever. I already sent an e-mail to "elected" Commonwealth Attorney, Randy Sengel asking for an explanation of the light 12 year sentence.
"The city has spent a significant sum and made a good faith investment on behalf of the neighborhood."
There are a few concerns about the new park that Parker Gray citizens rightfully have. We should not be concerned with being labeled as naysayers within our own group. We all mostly share the same common goal. A murder took place between Pendleton Park and the parking garage of Pendleton Park Appartments 1 year ago. What has the City done in the interm? They created some round table which I didn't even know existed until the Growler informed us here. As suggested, I will not be holding my breath.
"How can we keep track of this? I didn't see anything on the developers web site. Are the ARHA Resolution 830 replacements factored into the current sales data?"
Stop by the sales trailer. They have dots on the properties which are sold. They are all market rate - the ARHA units are not counted in their sales figures. The people there are very nice.
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