BRAC-133

Issues

Nan's Notes

2010-04-17 The Chair of the BRAC Advisory Group Dave Dexter reported that after 16 months and $700,000 we are back to where we began, with no progress on solving the expected gridlock when the Army building opens in September 2011. SHA opposes the newest suggestion from VDOT called Alternative F that the City wants to spend money to study. Another City to be studied—Alternative G—is less problematic. The Army has begun a Transportation Management Plan—six months after it said the plan would be finished—granted they are not required to even do one. Assistant Fire Chief Snead said the City is stretched thin in our area and relies on neighboring counties for coverage—the Army has no plans to fund emergency and fire services and has yet to engage with City officials—a new fire house is at least three years away. City officers are trained to handle an event at the (inspection) RIF facility, provided they can get there and have no other emergencies at the same time.

2010-04 Construction has begun on the roads inside Mark Center—one will have a name change—and the addition of left turn lanes at Seminary and Beauregard, and Beauregard and Mark Center Drive.

2010-04-02 VDOT sent a letter to the City Council proposing a new Alternative F, a ramp from the HOV Lanes to the Seminary Road bridge over the interchange at Seminary Road and I-395. SHA Board of Directors unanimously and vehemently opposed Alternative F.

2010-03-17 The Chairman of the Planning Commission John Komoroske apologized for his use of humor during the March 2 meeting regarding the problems citizens in the West End are facing because of the BRAC coming to Mark Center.

2010-03-17 The BRAC Advisory Group met to discuss preferred alternatives yet to be studied by VDOT. City Council may request an extension from VDOT for public comment. A subcommittee was established to consider complaints about the Beauregard Corridor Plan process.

2010-03-11 At a public meeting, VDOT set up a display and Tom Farney spoke about findings from the State’s study of two IJR alternatives. Congressman Jim Moran and the children who want to preserve the Winkler Preserve also spoke. VDOT Nick Nicholson advised that the City has impact on VDOT’s final decision but the State’s decision is inclusive of other factors.

2010-03-01 The BRAC Advisory Group met at City Hall and discussed additional alternatives for access into Mark Center. The chairman of the group then prepared a letter to City Council with advice.

2010-03-01 Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille sent a letter to Sharon Bulova, Chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, about the need to provide better access to the Mark Center area and the City’s interest in protecting the Winkler Preserve. Alexandria and Fairfax staffs have begun meeting about common transportation problems.

2010-02-17 The BRAC Advisory Group met at Minnie Howard School and heard first from Congressman Jim Moran and the children who want to preserve the Winkler Preserve. The Advisory Group began a process to choose an alternative for access into the Mark Center. VDOT Nick Nicholson said if Alexandria opposed an alternative, it would not be built. He then waffled and said if Fairfax and Arlington wanted it that might out-weigh Alexandria’s desires (it was crazy). City Staff quickly presented 19 alternatives—including VDOT’s original 7—and others proposed by citizens during the second Beauregard Corridor Plan meeting. There was no time to evaluate any of them.

2010-01-07: SHA President spoke to Alexandria’s Legislative Council representatives during their public hearing, expressing concerns about traffic and requesting their support to press VDOT for better transportation alternatives for access to the BRAC at Mark Center.

Links

Mark Center (BRAC) study http://alexandriava.gov/tes/info/default.aspx?id=6568

BRAC website http://alexandriava.gov/BRAC

City of Alexandria on BRAC at Mark Center http://alexandriava.gov/BRAC

DOD on BRAC at Mark Center http://www.belvoirnewvision.com/files/FINAL_BRAC133_Website_Collateral%5B1%5D.pdf

Videocam of BRAC at Mark Center http://oxblue.com/pro/open/clarkconstruction/WHS

VDOT website on transportation for BRAC