Arlington County Expands Court House Area With $27.1M Purchase

The Arlington County Board in Virginia voted unanimously over the weekend to purchase 2020 14th St. North for $27.1 million from Brookfield Asset Management. County Manager Barbara Donnellan first mentioned the County's interest in the property last year and, in a Washington Business Journal article, stated that if a a "voluntary purchase" was unsuccessful, "then the County may acquire the property by eminent domain." After the County acquires the property, which is set to close on November 20, it will engage in a separate use permit process for consideration of the Comprehensive Homeless Services Center and the County Board directed the County Manager to formulate a robust public process to include all stakeholders.

"This purchase meets a number of long-standing County space needs, including continuing our 20-year practice of providing services to homeless persons in the Courthouse area," commented Arlington County Board Chair Mary Hynes. "We look forward to working with the community to develop a Use Permit for the Homeless Services Center to meet the needs of all who live and work in Courthouse."

Most of the floors at 2020 14th St. North will be dedicated to county office space, but two floors will offer about 50 beds for single adults, five medical respite beds and another 25 spaces during winter months, as well as space for programs intended to get people into permanent housing, according to a Washington Post article. The seven-story building near the courthouse currently has three street-level retail stores that will be offered leases to stay while the 18 offices above them will eventually have to move. The county set aside $2.5 million to help relocate those tenants.

For more news and information visit Blumberg Capital Partners.

Crystal City's Tallest Building Gets Approval

The Arlington County Board voted Saturday to approve 1900 Crystal Drive, Vornado's enormous office building that will be the tallest in Crystal City, according to a Washington Business Journal article. The new building, designed by New Haven-based Pickard Chilton, is the first in Crystal City to be considered under the Crystal City Sector Plan, which was adopted in 2010.

The new building will sit on a parcel currently occupied by an empty 12 story Federal office building at 1851 S. Bell Street that will be torn down to make way for 1900 Crystal Drive. 1900 Crystal Drive will include 24 stories with 720,000 square feet of office space, a 5 story underground garage, and 32 bicycle parking spaces. The design employs a "ski jump architectural treatment" as part of its glass facade, and will be a major contributor to the upgrading of Crystal City's outdated architecture and infrastructure.

As part of the agreement with the county, the developer, Vornado, would provide curb, gutter and streetscape improvements around the perimeter of the property, according to an ARLnow.com article. The plan also involves the construction of an approximately 16,000 square foot interim park near the intersection of Crystal Drive and 18th Street South.

For more news and information visit Blumberg Capital Partners.