Two images from the world and national events are seared in my mind this morning. One, the image of Ketanji Brown Jackson speaking upon her nomination to be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court. Two, the 100,000 people who protested Putin's invasion in Germany yesterday. Please take a look at both as a reminder that our democracy is fragile and we must work for it. Please also see below for a summary of the Arlington County Board's ongoing work--it's important, but this morning the international and national stories are worth reflecting on first.
Ketnaji Brown Jackson speaks to the press after her nomination.
Ms. Brown Jackson's nomination on Friday is long past due. Her work includes sentencing reform work as a judge, experience as a public defender, and an extraordinary record. The image above inspires me that the best in us is still possible. This article on Judge Brown Jackson is worth reading: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/25/ketanji-brown-jackson-supreme-court/
In Germany, 100,000 people demonstrated in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
Second, the Ukrainian people and the struggle for democracy in Kyiv and Kharkiv are on all of our minds this morning. The struggle there to determine one's own destiny is one we must recognize. I'm inspired by President Zelensky's bravery in staying with his people. We must stand strongly with Ukraine and meet this moment as Germany and the rest of the democratic world seems to be doing in a new way. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/27/europe-germany-defense-russia-ukraine/ Our role is different, but our responsibility to act in every way that we can to prevent bloodshed and support the Ukrainian people is clear.
JD Spain and Symone Walker on February 19th at the Unveiling of a Plaque that tells the Story of Segregated seating on the W0&D Rail Line well into the 20th Century.
The work on the County Board in January and February has continued. January's Board Meetings were relatively lighter. We did take action to address speeding in school zones and in work zones via photo cameras. We also allocated money for a limited number of additional home ownership opportunities by allocating Federal money to help approximately 5 to 7 homeowners buy their first homes.
The work on racial justice continues. I mentioned the death at the jail earlier this year in a prior email. I've continued to work on the issue: here's an article with my questions for follow up: https://www.arlnow.com/2022/02/14/latest-county-jail-death-prompts-questions-pledge-of-oversight-from-county-board/ I am working to determine the right next steps to do all we can on this.
The picture above reflects the ongoing work that must be done. The rail line that led to the founding of a number of communities in Arlington forced the segregation of seating well into the 20th century, as late as the 1950's up through its closing in 1969. Systemic racism continues and we must be more determined than ever. Telling the truth about Arlington’s history is essential: we cannot build a better future if our world views are based on inaccurate or racist intellectual architecture. This historic marker will help do so about a means of transportation that was segregated on land that is now Arlington in the 21st Century.
The February Meetings: Housing Front and Center
The County Board's February meetings included two hearings and votes on the Marbella, a project just off Route 50 in the Rosslyn/Courthouse neighborhood, and a vote on the Pentagon City Sector Plan. All told, an 11 hour meeting on Saturday, February 12th. The first item adds affordable units to a neighborhood that does not have enough of them. The town home owners nearby raised fully reasonable concerns about having a very tall building nearby. Some of their concerns were addressed and the Board is set to finally approve the project this evening due, after a delay due to a notice mistake. I support the project and the more than 400 additional units that would result from both parts of the project. This is an investment in affordable housing that is significant progress on that critical shared goal of ours.
The second item we considered was more controversial: the Pentagon City Sector Plan update. The Board heard from more than 100 speakers on this item, which focused on additional housing permissible under the plan. The Riverhouse apartments were the primary source of debate with the number of housing units permissible under the plan significantly increasing with up to 3 times the number of units permissible under the new plan.
Many speakers opposed the plan with a significant majority of those opposed residents from the area above Riverhouse--Arlington Ridge. Fair concerns were raised. I ultimately felt that the plan's 176 pages addressed those concerns adequately.
Further, I see the increase in the number of units permissible as part of the work we must do to add to our housing supply and thus prevent housing from becoming even more unaffordable over the coming years. I also was very pleased that staff added a requirement that the site plan for Riverhouse must be presented to the Board and that height on the site would be more limited to 250 feet instead of 350 feet. There were also significant parts of the plan that focus on open space and tree canopy, along with a requirement for on-site affordable units.
This was a difficult vote and conversation. I respect those opposed, but see the decision to move forward as the best way for Arlington's future and important for housing affordability over the long term.
Infographic of the Proposed Budget that the Board will be considering over the coming month of March.
The Board also took a number of other actions in February, but the most important update is that the County Manager proposed a budget that the Board will be working on via work sessions in March. Our shared priorities are on my mind as I approach that work.
From Ukraine to Judge Brown Jackson to our jail to affordable housing and housing supply, I continue to be honored to serve you and to do so with a full heart.
If you wish to support our ongoing work, we are $1,143 short of our goal for midnight tonight. Meeting our fundraising goals enable us to meet the outreach needs of our campaign so we can continue to serve the Arlington community. If you have been thinking of giving, I would be honored if you did so tonight. As always, I am grateful for your help if and as able.
