While browsing the City's Web site last week, the Growler almost fell out of the big comfy bear chair.
On the Planning & Zoning historic preservation site is a photograph of the old American Legion Building at 224 N. Fayette Street and an announcement that it is for sale for a mere $675,000. The property does not belong to the City; instead, it was purchased more than two years ago by local developer William Cromley, who proposed razing it.
Though Mr. Cromley gained the Council's support for tearing down the American Legion building -- whose dwindling band of brothers let the place earn a notorious reputation as a violence-prone booze hall before they lost it in a foreclosure -- a lawsuit filed in Alexandria Circuit Court by Boyd Walker has brought his plans to a temporary halt. Instead, Mr. Cromley must wait two years (starting from March 2011) to see if a buyer will emerge who is willing to purchase the building at the stipulated price and preserve it.
City staff has gone overboard and the arrogance shows. Readers should click on this link and read the City's flyer regarding the property's allowable uses. Among the alternative uses: (1) a convenience store; or (2) a grocery store.
We all know what the latter means: an unregulated market, a by-right use, authorized by staff under the pretense that it is an okay contrivance. Within a few weeks, the grocery or market's display of the five food groups, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, will disappear. Meanwhile, the boozery begins operation in earnest.
P&Z staff will bat their not so delicate eyelashes and claim the City has no other choice. After all, the building is historic and any use that saves it is justified.
On the Planning & Zoning historic preservation site is a photograph of the old American Legion Building at 224 N. Fayette Street and an announcement that it is for sale for a mere $675,000. The property does not belong to the City; instead, it was purchased more than two years ago by local developer William Cromley, who proposed razing it.
Though Mr. Cromley gained the Council's support for tearing down the American Legion building -- whose dwindling band of brothers let the place earn a notorious reputation as a violence-prone booze hall before they lost it in a foreclosure -- a lawsuit filed in Alexandria Circuit Court by Boyd Walker has brought his plans to a temporary halt. Instead, Mr. Cromley must wait two years (starting from March 2011) to see if a buyer will emerge who is willing to purchase the building at the stipulated price and preserve it.
City staff has gone overboard and the arrogance shows. Readers should click on this link and read the City's flyer regarding the property's allowable uses. Among the alternative uses: (1) a convenience store; or (2) a grocery store.
We all know what the latter means: an unregulated market, a by-right use, authorized by staff under the pretense that it is an okay contrivance. Within a few weeks, the grocery or market's display of the five food groups, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, will disappear. Meanwhile, the boozery begins operation in earnest.
P&Z staff will bat their not so delicate eyelashes and claim the City has no other choice. After all, the building is historic and any use that saves it is justified.
26 comments:
When will Council conclude Hamer has gone to far?
When will Council conclude Hamer has gone to far?
Walker? The Ice House Walker? Has anyone noted the condition of the Ice House? After the earthquake or over time? Code Enforcement should pay a visit. They might earn a little of their much needed revenue. Our condolences.
Was the city not given a buy opportunity? Talk about intrusion. Then again it is not a home.
Typical of the City's double standard.
Go ahead and raze away Bland!! Why, you can even replace it with bloated, weirdly Easter egg colored, vinyl windowed,and hardiplanked sided houses, BAR standards be damned!!
Where, oh where, was Boyd when they proposed razing Bland? He's never once answered this glaring hypocrisy, nor has the City.
It would be nice if the city spent half the energy on making Alexandria a better place to live for all its citizens that they do on social engineering projects like preserving the supposedly historic American Legion Building. Just another example of who the council really caters too in this city.
I'd buy it for a couple grand and put in a 7-11. Bet Hamer would help me do it, too.
"I'd buy it for a couple grand and put in a 7-11. Bet Hamer would help me do it, too."
Not funny!
Clicked the link and now I fighting mad. The god damn city is willing to let a convenience store operate at this location. How utterly vile and disrespectful especially after all the neighborhood went through with the Smile Market.
"I'd buy it for a couple grand and put in a 7-11. Bet Hamer would help me do it, too."
Click on the Growler's link and read the flyer. Hamer will be more than happy to help you. You could call it "Smile Market Two."
Hamer, run amok, runs the City...I think Council is afraid of her.
BTW did anyone see Becker take Council on at Saturday's mtg?
What happened with the Smile Market?
The Smile Market at Queen and N. Henry Street closed when it appeared they would be unsuccessful in getting an off-premises alcohol license from the Virginia ABC, given strong neighborhood opposition.
Slightly off topic but just as perplexing"
http://www.alexandrianews.org/2011/11/acps-enrollment-less-than-projected/
I remember when P & Z permitted the day care center (parents prefer to call it "American Day School") on Princess and Patrick a retroactive double capacity permit of infants and toddlers after the owner already doubled the number. Also, as part of the zoning "deal", the owner was supposed to plant some trees along the property/street line. Still no trees! Thanks for your selfless(selfish) civic mindedness Boyd!
That's funny, the Smile Market always made me frown every time I walked past it.
I remember when people were thinking Smile Market was going to be a "gourmet eatery"
Maybe the Legion will become a "gourmet beer and wine" shop. We can call it Boyd's Last Stand.
"A variety of office, retail, residential and personal service uses are permitted ‐‐
such as a bookstore, grocery store, barbershop, bicycle repair, etc."
Has anyone asked anyone in the immediate vicinity if they even want any of these things?
I mean seriously how does a barbershop or bike repair shop "preserve" character for the neighborhood?
There is a fricken barbershop steps away from this. A bike repair shop isn't exactly a use I think the City should be promoting. I don't see Arlington promoting buildings as "bike shops"
Why do some people in this City continue to lose sight of the fact that we keep wasting our best resources on stuff that to the large majority of folks, means little to nothing to their daily lives?
Leaders in this town would rather, seemingly, just listen to the screamers
"Has anyone asked anyone in the immediate vicinity if they even want any of these things?"
Boyd Walker does and that is enough for the city. He's about power not purpose. Does anyone know who by name is on Walker's Board of Directors? What is the pea-brained group called? The Greater Alexandria Preservation Alliance?
"I remember when people were thinking Smile Market was going to be a "gourmet eatery"
You and what other fool. What is the source of Walker's power? He's already proven his Ice House is a go nowhere venture.
"Slightly off topic but just as perplexing"
Here's an even better good school editorial.
http://www.alexandrianews.org/2011/11/reaching-for-the-sky/
RE: the ACPS budget.
What, actually, do they do with all the money we give them? Apparently, they don't teach spelling. Did anyone else notice the "Freddy is comming [sic] to get you" thing spray painted on the Bland Nightmare on Madison Street?
Great article in the Alexandria Times regarding write in votes in the last election. Apparently, 710Alexandrians decided they would rather see someone named Anyone Else, George Clooney or Tea Party represent them than Del. David Englin. And I note that one of the write in votes was for the Growler!!
The Growler was tipped that an ad for the American Legion building has also been placed on the Preservation Virginia web site's Historic Properties for Sale page.
http://tinyurl.com/862k3ur
However, the wording of the ad makes no reference to controversial potential uses such as a grocery or convenience store. If only City staff had exercised similar common sense in their copywriting ...
"However, the wording of the ad makes no reference to controversial potential uses such as a grocery or convenience store. If only City staff had exercised similar common sense in their copywriting ..."
Common sense? city staff? Maybe after you beat P&Z over the head. Think how hard a neighbor had to work to save the apothecary shop. The city has a lot of apologizing to do especially for Bland. The new multi-family proposal is truly dumb so no common sense, city staff no!
"What is the source of Walker's power? He's already proven his Ice House is a go nowhere venture."
Mama is former Councilwoman Lois Walker now promoting mass transit ask Route 1 BRT opposition veterans.
Boyd is kid prankster compared to P&Z machine that so creatively and consistently finds new ways to screw this neighborhood, unchecked by Mayor and Council.
"Boyd is kid prankster"
I believe it! He has a letter to the Editor-anybody notice?-but claims the angst is over on a date other than yours as published. So who's right?
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