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Glencarlyn Citizens' Association Neighborhood Conservation Information |
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Overview of the Program The introduction to the Neighborhood Conservation Program Handbook states "The Neighborhood Conservation program is a unique grassroots initiative that utilizes County bond funds for capital improvement projects in neighborhoods. The program ensures that neighborhood improvements are tailored to the needs of participating Civic Associations through extensive public outreach. Improvements include the installation of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, traffic management, park improvements, and other similar capital improvement projects. Through the Neighborhood Conservation Program, residents commit to conserve and improve their neighborhoods’ character by preparing and updating a Neighborhood Conservation Plan that reflects community needs; participating in the Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee (NCAC); and by nominating plan-based improvement projects for bond funding. " The Arlington County's Neighborhood Conservation Program Handbook NCP Handbook.pdf (3 MB pdf) describes the program and processes in detail (page numbers below refer to the handbook). In summary, for a project to be approved: · The neighborhood needs to participate in the Neighborhood Conservation Program · Eric Hougen is our delegate to the Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee (NCAC) · The neighborhood needs a Neighborhood Conservation Plan - (pg 17 - 37) · Glencarlyn's plan was initially approved in 1978. We are in the final stages of updating the plan. (Plan will be added to website very soon) · Projects need to be submitted and prioritized by the Glencarlyn Citizens' Association · Certain projects – curb / gutter / sidewalk, streetlight and those projects including traffic calming must also be supported through block petitions. (Glencarlyn has let the various blocks initiate the curb and gutter projects ) The Neighborhood Conservation Program’s capital projects usually fall into five categories: (pg 39 - 52) (1) Street Improvement & Street Beautification Projects (2) Streetlight Projects (3) Parks & Open Space Beautification Projects (4) Neighborhood Sign Projects (5) Missing Link Projects - installation of missing sidewalk sections
Glencarlyn's Status in the NCP The Neighborhood Conservation Program has funded close to a million dollars in infrastructure improvements within the Glencarlyn neighborhood since 2001. We are working to get additional projects identified for future funding. The article by Eric Hougen in the December Glencarlyn Village View describes where Glencarlyn has been and where we are headed. Glencarlyn Street Sidewalk Plan A Glencarlyn requested project funded by the Neighborhood Conservation Program was the development of a Glencarlyn Neighborhood Street and Sidewalk Master Plan (11 MB pdf) which was completed in May 2006. The purpose of the Street and Sidewalk Master Plan is to address residents’ concerns by conducting a thorough analysis of pedestrian conditions in the neighborhood and developing a comprehensive plan to increase pedestrian safety while maintaining Glencarlyn’s unique character, with the County's requirement for sidewalks to be constructed on at least one side of the street as part of curb and gutter requirements. Specific recommendations were made regarding sidewalk location and design, intersection crossing, street width, street tree preservation, drainage, lighting and parking. Glencarlyn accepted the overall document as a third party suggestions for possible reference in future projects, not a blueprint for future projects. There were and still are a number of concerns about specific recommendations. Individual blocks will retain the right to propose specifics for their projects.
Neighborhood Conservation Projects currently being worked on: Curb and gutter for the 5700 block of 4th street south wrapping around to the 300 block of Lexington. · Preliminary discussions to begin to define the scope.
Glencarlyn Contact Glencarlyn's delegate to the Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee (NCAC) - Eric Hougen 703-867-2933 or ehougen@gmail.com
Alternate contact - GCA President - Peter Olivere 703-626-2520 or polivere@aol.com
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