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Incoming Arlington County Board Chairman Barbara Favola today outlined her goals for the Board in 2004: increasing affordable housing, fostering economic sustainability, creating a walkable Arlington, investing in children and expanding civic involvement.
Favola, who served as vice chair in 2003, was unanimously elected this year's chair by her Board colleagues during its traditional New Year's Day organizational meeting. She last chaired the Board in 2000 and has been a member since December 1997. Jay Fisette was elected vice chairman, and the Board also approved its 2004 meeting schedule.
"I am confident that once again, a strong regional economy nurtured by Arlington's smart growth policies will make it possible for Arlington to provide high quality services at the lowest tax rate of any major jurisdiction in the Washington Metropolitan area," Favola said in a New Year's Day address, televised on the county's cable channel AVN 71. "The most important of these services – an excellent school system – will continue to be the Board's first funding priority."
Achieving community milestones for affordable housing will be another high priority, she added. In 2000, 53 percent of Arlington's rental apartments were market-rate affordable versus 37 percent in 2003. Only 12 percent of the affordable stock is actually available to those who meet income requirements. "We know that this is not enough. Arlington has led the region in innovative housing policies; but we can – and we will – do more," Favola said.
Favola outlined the following policy initiatives:
Affordable Housing
- Adopt affordable housing guidelines for site plan projects [based on a sample of 10 recent site plan projects, the new guidelines would yield almost a six-fold increase in housing contributions].
- Work to eliminate the waiting list for county Housing Grants [pursue increased funding in FY 2005 budget].
Economic Sustainability
- Identify location and begin design of a Conference Center by the end of 2004.
- Encourage the Virginia legislature to revamp the state tax system to create additional revenue streams for local governments.
Walkable Arlington
- Update the County's Master Transportation Plan to place additional emphasis on an integrated transportation system, one that respects pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as motorists.
- Implement streetscape projects that focus on pedestrian safety and accessibility for the disabled in the Ballston area identified in the Walk Arlington study.
Investment in Children
- Explore relocating Head Start classes from Reed School to the George Mason Center site.
- Expand Head Start programs to benefit more at-risk children in collaboration with Early Head Start providers and the Partnership on Children, Youth and Families.
Citizen Involvement
- Establish a Civic Engagement Institute to encourage greater participation by young adults and minority groups.
- The institute would include a resource center, enhanced volunteer outreach and training programs.
"Now is the time to unite in a vision and embark on a journey that will enhance the lives of Arlingtonians for generations," Favola concluded. "The journey will not be easy, but the community we are striving to be is worthy of a sustained effort."
The full text of Favola's speech and other board members' remarks can be found at www.co.arlington.va.us/cbo.
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Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world – including the Pentagon – Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business. |
