FCA Statement on Recent Acts of Vandalism
Dear Fairlingtonians –
FCA would like to acknowledge the recent acts of vandalism in our neighborhood. We understand your concerns and take this seriously. FCA has spoken to the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD). We’ve learned that the Department of Environmental Services (DES) has been notified. ACPD did take a report on the graffiti on the bridge/395 overpass. ACPD cautions the public not to engage with someone you think is committing vandalism or defacing property. Instead, you can call the police at 703-558-2222 or file an online report. Before you call or make a report, ACPD recommends being aware of your surroundings, noting details like license plates and physical descriptions, location, etc., to help with the report. FCA is coordinating with ACPD to host some type of virtual outreach for our community. We will provide details once confirmed.
July 4 Fire Truck Parade Starts at 10 am
Fairlingtonians, bring your flags, pinwheels, and spirit to line the streets and cheer on the crews from Arlington County Fire Station 9, Alexandria Fire Department, and Ft. Myer Fire Department, who’s bringing their special Aircraft Firefighting truck!
The crew will gather at Abingdon Elementary School parking lot at 10 am and depart at 10:15 following the route below. It will end at the “old” Fire Station 7 after completing loops in North and South Fairlington. THERE WILL BE NO STOPS OR VISITS.
When you come to wave and cheer on the trucks, please remember to maintain a SAFE social distance from friends and neighbors. Cloth masks are strongly encouraged.
Parade Route:
1. Abingdon Elementary parking lot (3035 S Abingdon St) at 10 am.
2. Depart around 10:15 am; South on Abingdon St, turn right onto S. 31st St.
3. Cross S. Buchanan St.
4. Right onto S. Columbus St. crossing S. 30th St.
5. Right onto S. 29th St. crossing S. Buchanan St.
6. Right onto S. Abingdon St.
8. Cross I-395 overpass onto S. 34th St., and turn right on S. Wakefield St.
9. Turn left onto S. 36th St., cross over S. Utah St. and S. Taylor St.
10. Left onto S. Stafford St.
11. At the traffic circle, turn left onto S. 34th St.
12. Right onto S. Utah St., continue past S. 32nd Rd.
13. Right onto S. 32nd St. (passing Utah field and park).
14. Right onto S. Stafford St.
15. Finish at I-395 overpass on S. Abingdon St prior to “Old” Fire Station 7.This year, the FCA and Fairlington Villages (the co-sponsors of the parade) have decided the parade cannot happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. FCA didn’t want to just give up this year, but sought ways to celebrate at a responsible and safe distance. To that extent, two plans are underway to make July 4th as festive as possible.
Per the July AFB, FCA is providing July 4th decorations and supplies to make the neighborhood festive. Please check with your condo association on where to pick up your supplies. Most condo associations will be placing bins at the pool entrances (see bin flyer). Fairlington Villages will have bins at the Management Office. The Glen Board will be decorating court entrances. Can your courtyard make a continuous sidewalk chalk design or theme? Please take photos and send them to: fairlingtonfourth at gmail.com.
Special Election July 7
There is a special election on July 7th to fill the vacant seat on the Arlington County Board. Tragically, board member, Erik Gutshall passed away in April following a brief illness. For those Fairlington residents who reside in Arlington County, polling places will be OPEN at their regular sites:
- Fairlington precinct: (S. Fairlington) Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St.
- Abingdon precinct: (N. Fairlington) Abingdon Elementary School, 3035 S. Abingdon St.
Please visit Vote Arlington for more information.
FCA Virtual Monthly Meeting July 8
There will be no presentation at the Wednesday, July 8, FCA meeting. The Board will hold a virtual meeting, which can be viewed live on FCA’s Facebook page starting at 7 pm, and later on FCA’s YouTube channel.
Shirlington GLUP Study
Arlington’s Department of Community Planning, Housing & Development Planning Com released the Shirlington General Land Use Permit (GLUP) Study Plus Concept Plan which is now available for public review. The proposal would allow for increased density development in Shirlington Village. Residents are encouraged to provide feedback and complete a survey. The study will be presented to the Planning Commission on July 6 and then ultimately presented to the County Board later in the month.
All Fairlington Bulletin
Read the July 2020 All Fairlington Bulletin.
June 10 FCA Meeting Speaker: YouTube Link Available Soon
During the June 10 FCA meeting, FCA hosted a short presentation by the developer on a proposal to amend the approved permit for West Alex to convert a proposed office building to a senior living facility and to add a floor to the approved height of the building to accommodate recreational activities on the top floor for residents. Staff from the City of Alexandria also joined. You can view the meeting here using password 5X?!+o?5.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
FCA page – NEW
Governor Northam’s executive orders
Arlington County
City of Alexandria
Centers for Disease Control
Through an outreach program from the Arlington County Department of Human Services (DHS), FCA has acquired resuable cloth masks, intended for vulnerable populations. Please contact your condo association board or FCA Board Director, Chris Weathers at 703-402-4648 for more information or whether you would like to receive one.
Do you or a neighbor need help getting groceries or other items? There are Fairlingtonians that are ready to help. Please email your request to: vp at fca-fairlington.org or call FCA’s general number: 571-403-1943. Someone will be checking regularly and will follow-up.
Have COVID related questions concerns beyond neighbor to neighbor help? Call Arlington County’s COVID hotline: 703-228-7999. (Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).
Fairlington Cares
FCA has voted to create a new nonprofit organization, Fairlington Cares, Inc., to serve people in the general Fairlington area. Here are some FAQs about the new entity.
A short online survey launched in early May showed broad support for the idea.
This new 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is intended to be a vehicle for Fairlington residents to contribute to help meet the needs of residents in the general Fairlington area (including Abingdon Elementary families and Park Shirlington residents). Although the COVID impacts are the immediate impetus for this, the organization would have the ability to respond in a specific and targeted ways to address neighbor and neighborhood needs in future years, such as storms or natural disasters, fires, government shutdowns, and major emergencies.
The Fairlington non-profit would not seek to supplant other charitable organizations serving the area. Rather, it would partner with other organizations, including county offices, that are seeking to address these needs and thus hope to attract further resources to our area. The non-profit would be volunteer led and exist primarily on contributions from neighbors in Fairlington.
FCA Statement on Racial Equity
Due to the events seen across the country and even in our community over the last week, regarding the injustice that Black Americans have faced in our country, the Executive Board of the FCA believes it is important to speak out on these issues as they affect our neighborhood. Please read their Statement on Racial Equity.
Abingdon PTA Wishlist
FCA continues to collaborate with Abingdon PTA and staff to help support our neighbors in Park Shirlington and surrounding areas. There have been many generous Fairlingtonians who have donated school supplies and books. THANK YOU. The PTA has created an Amazon Wishlist of re-occurring supply needs that have been developed in consultation with the school’s social workers and support team. Please consider purchasing a packet of crayons or basic supplies to help out. Items will be shipped directly to PTA president who will then coordinate with school distribution team.
WMATA Bus Update
During the WMATA budget process earlier this year, there was a discussion that included altering or eliminating a number of Metrobus routes, including several that serve Fairlington. Now it has been determined that the existing 7Y and 22A/C bus routes in Fairlington will remain unchanged this summer. However, longer-term the 22A/22C is probably still at risk of being curtailed or modified given low ridership.
Take the 2020 Census
While you’re taking a break between Zoom conferences, go online and fill out your census form. Go to my2020census.gov to begin, using the information mailed to your home.
FCA Letter About Shirlington Density
In a March 20 letter to Arlington County’s Long Range Planning Committee, the FCA outlined concerns about a proposal to increase density in Shirlington, while also pointing out the value of a vibrant commercial area to Fairlington residents. FCA urges the county to look more broadly at a larger geographic area than just Shirlington and consider the cumulative impact of increased density across a number of areas near Fairlington.
Fairlington 5K postponed
The Fairlington 5K race and auction, originally scheduled for later this month, has been postponed due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. Organizers hope to reschedule both the silent auction and the 5K road race to a date in September, 2020. More details will be published in the Bulletin as they become available.
Upcoming Events
What is the Fairlington Citizens Association?
The Fairlington Citizens Association (FCA) is about you. All residents are members and an executive board is elected annually. The FCA’s mission is to promote activities that make Fairlington a better community in which to live by serving as a forum for discussion of residents’ concerns and by representing Fairlington’s views to local government.
Read more under About the FCA and find out how you can get involved. Fairlington is a National Register and Virginia Landmark Historic District.