Arlington County participates in several major planning and development projects that are initiated by the federal government, regional agencies and adjacent local jurisdictions. This engagement also includes the review of various development plans and projects within and adjacent to the County’s borders.
Many of the federal plans and projects are coordinated by the National Capital Planning Commission, which is the federal government’s central planning agency for federal land and buildings in the Capital Region. There are also various regional entities that oversee a number of plans and studies, such as the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. This agency consists of 22 local jurisdictions, including the County, with a mission to enhance the quality of life and competitive advantages of the Washington metropolitan region in a number of areas such as transportation and the environment. Adjacent local jurisdictions provide notice to the County on their respective planning initiatives, including the City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church and Fairfax County.
When plans and projects are received, they are circulated to appropriate County departments and staff for review and comment. Typically, the Planning Division of the Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development is responsible for coordinating the engagement and/or review of such projects.
Below is a summary of federal, regional and local jurisdiction plans and proposals that have been recently approved, completed, or are currently underway. The summary includes a general description of the project and a description of the County’s engagement and/or review efforts as well as the potential implications of such proposals.
Federal Government
National Guard Bureau Visitors Center
Contact: Matthew Flis | Senior Urban Designer | 202-482-7200
On February 6, 2020, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) will review preliminary plans for a visitor center at the National Guard Bureau Campus at 111 South George Mason Drive, in Arlington, Virginia. Arlington County staff have reviewed the plans and submitted comments.
Crystal City Post Office Relocation
Contact: Richard Hancock | Real Estate Specialist | 336-665-2848
The United States Postal Service (USPS) will be relocating services provided at their current location. This relocation project will consist of identifying a suitable location, preparing the new location and transitioning services.
For more information, read the USPS letter.
U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial Comfort Facilities
Contact: Simone Monteleone | 703-289-2512
The National Park Service is in the pre-planning stages for building a 1,200 sq. ft. comfort station facility near the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial. Included in the comfort station are restrooms to replace the portable facilities currently being utilized on site.
On October 10, 2018, Arlington staff provided comments on environmental sustainability and design continuity within the memorial parkway setting: Letter
For more information, visit the NPS webpage.
Arlington Cemetery: Southern Expansion Project and Road Realignment
Contact: Kathy Perdue | 757-201-7218
For several years, Arlington County, the Department of the Army and Virginia Department of Transportation have looked for ways to realign the existing road network and complete various real estate transactions in order to maximize contiguous acreage for Arlington National Cemetery’s expansion and to improve the transportation infrastructure in this important area of the County and the region.
On June 15, 2017, the Army informed the County it would no longer pursue a land exchange.
County staff is currently reviewing documents related to the Draft Arlington Cemetery Real Property Master Plan and Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment 2018 for a National Capital Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Feb. 7, 2019.
For more information about the project, visit our webpage.
Theodore Roosevelt Island Cultural Landscape Reports/Environmental Assessment and Assessment of Effect
Contact: Brenda Wasler | 703-289-2540
The National Park Service is preparing a Cultural Landscape Report/Environmental Assessment and Assessment of Effect for Theodore Roosevelt Island, a park site administered by the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Washington, D.C. and Rosslyn, Virginia.
The purpose of the project is to provide guidance and recommendations for the long-term stewardship and preservation of the park. The project will result in recommendations for preserving historically significant features within the site and improving or modernizing certain visitor amenities, access areas and conditions. Arlington staff are monitoring this process for any impacts to County infrastructure.
Arlington County and Vicinity Boathouse
Contact: Brenda Wasler | 703-289-2540
The National Park Service, in cooperation with the National Capital Planning Commission and Arlington County, is evaluating the proposed development of a boathouse and related facilities on the Virginia side of the Potomac River south and west of Washington, D.C., on land administered by the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The purpose of the action is to provide enhanced public waterfront access near Arlington County, increase non-motorized water-based recreational activities along the Potomac River and alleviate pressure on other area boathouses.
National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC) Master Plan Update and Related Projects
Contact: Stephanie Hamlett | 202-260-9764
In the Spring of 2016, the General Services Administration and the State Department initiated an update to the Master Plan for the NFATC, the first Master Plan Update conducted for the campus, located in the Alcova Heights Neighborhood, since 1989. The purpose of the update was to provide for facility renovation, expansion and security improvements to support population growth at the NFATC campus over the next decade. Following the National Environmental Policy Act process, GSA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact on April 2017 and the National Capital Planning Commission approved approved the Master Plan Update on June 2017. On June 11, 2018, Arlington and the State Department extended the current agreement governing the use of Arlington Hall West Park for an additional five years, until July 2023.
Notice of Trail Closure: Construction of the NFATC Child Care Center began in early November 2017. The portion of recreational trail on NFATC property, adjacent to Alcova Heights Park, is now closed. The closure is in accordance with a March 2017 Department of State letter informing Arlington County of the closing, as discussed in public meetings at the time of the Master Plan Update.
- Documents
- Public notice: construction phasing update
- Arlington County’s Comments on the Final EA
- 2008 MOU between State Department and Arlington County – West Parcel and Trail Access
- State Department Letter to Arlington County – notification of trail closure
- Pedestrian Advisory Committee Letter to the County Manager – Scoping
- Pedestrian Advisory Committee Letter to the County Manager – Draft EA
- Environment and Energy Conservation Commission Letter to the County Manager
- Alcova Heights Citizens Association Comments
- Arlington resident petition regarding trail access and connectivity
- Petition Opposing Path Between 3rd Street and 6th Street
- Map of Residents Who Signed the Petition
- Email to County Board from Alcova Heights Citizens Association
- Amended Memorandum of Understanding between State Department and Arlington (June 11, 2018)
Regional Jurisdictions
Demographic and Economic Research and Forecasting
As part of a regional process coordinated by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, County staff contribute data to the Cooperative Forecasting Program, including long-range forecasts of population, households and employment for Arlington.
For more information, visit MWCOG’s website.
Local Jurisdictions
Comprehensive Plan Amendment | City of Falls Church
Contact: Paul Stoddard | Director of Planning | 703-248-5041
The City of Falls Church is proposing to amend the Natural Resources and the Environment Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. The new chapter is titled “Environment for Everyone”.
On February 7, 2020, County staff reviewed the amendments and expressed their support.
For more information, visit their webpage.
Zoning District Map Amendment for 7124 Leesburg Pike | City of Falls Church
Contact: Carly Aubrey | Project Manager | 703-248-5106
The City of Falls Church is proposing to amend their Official Zoning District Map for the properties at 7124 Leesburg Pike. The proposed changes will rezone approximately 34.6 acres of land from R1-A, Low Density Residential to B-2, Central Business.
On Nov. 5, 2018, County staff reviewed the amendments and expressed their support.
Potomac Yard Metrorail Station; Environmental Impact Statement | City of Alexandria
Contact: Jason Kacamburas | Potomac Yard Metro Coordinator | 703-746-4049
An infill Metrorail station is being planned for the Potomac Yard development along the yellow and blue lines in Alexandria, just south of the border with Arlington.
In Sept. 2018, WMATA awarded a contract for design and construction of the project.
Historic Preservation
Contact: Historic Preservation
- Arlington Memorial Bridge Repairs | National Park Service (NPS)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Path/Air Traffic Procedures at Reagan National Airport | FAA/Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
- Road Improvements Along the George Washington Memorial Parkway | NPS
- Transform 66: Inside the Beltway Eastbound Widening Environmental Assessment and Cultural Resources Study | Virginia Department of Transportation
Archived Projects
If you don’t see the project you’re looking for, it may have moved to our archived projects page.