Please come support Phoenix Bikes *tonight* – 7p at 2700 S. Taylor St.

[Mark Blacknell]

Hi, all. As has been discussed in other threads here, Phoenix Bikes is very much in need of a new location/building, and tonight there is a community public hearing for the new building location. The meeting will be at Arlington Parks and Recreation building’s conference center at 2700 S Taylor St 22206 at 7pm. This is the second public meeting, and Phoenix Bikes could use your public support.

It’s my understanding that the first public meeting about this was attended by *many* Concord Mews folks (property adjacent to the proposed site) and they greatly outnumbered the 13 kids/staff from Phoenix Bikes. The Concord Mews folks were described to me as “livid.” While I understand coming to a meeting with concerns, outright opposition isn’t at all justified. I think that Arlington would be well served if we could attend and speak out on behalf of 1) the benefits of the Phoenix Bike program, 2) the benefits of being located at Walter Reed Drive and Four Mile Run (right off trail, near schools where PB kids go, serves surrounding community, etc.).

I know it’s late notice but it would be of great service not just to Phoenix Bikes, but to cycling in the area as a whole, if you could make the time for this tonight.

Thanks.

Topic

[Henry]

Thank you to everyone who came out last night. We really value and weigh all comments and concerns. (And yes, we’ve thought of AC).

There is one final meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, 2014, also 7pm at the Parks Operation Conference Center, 2700 S. Taylor St., Arlington.

Henry

[Tim Kelley]

“Concord Mews” sounds like a great name for an acapella group from New England!

[KLizotte]

Excellent writeup bobco! I was there and can only add that the opposition folks were VERY vocal and occasionally belligerent. In a nutshell, the common consensus seemed to be that they supported the program but didn’t want it in their backyard. To be fair, I think anything being built there would cause a similar uproar from these particular attendees. Henry said about half of them had attended the last meeting.

The next meeting will feature the same format: 30 minute presentation on Phoneix Bikes and then a Q&A session with someone writing down the major concerns on a white board. If I recall correctly, I think the County said they would supply a list of all the potential sites they have looked at to show that they have exercised due dilligence in evaluating all possible locations.

It was a very interesting and eye opening evening and invite any and all to attend the next one.

Note: to find the meeting look for the green awning that says “conf center” in the back of the building (where the parking is located). Second floor (there is an elevator). There are a few bike racks at the end of the parking lot in front of the main entrance (to your right if you are looking at the awning).

[dasgeh]

Is there a way to submit written comments?

[consularrider]

@KLizotte 71012 wrote:

Excellent writeup bobco! I was there and can only add that the opposition folks were VERY vocal and occasionally belligerent. In a nutshell, the common consensus seemed to be that they supported the program but didn’t want it in their backyard. To be fair, I think anything being built there would cause a similar uproar from these particular attendees. Henry said about half of them had attended the last meeting…

Makes me want to channel my inner ArlNow commentator instead of asking WWPD and encourage Arlington County to sell the proposed property to a developer who will build something that will truly mess with the condo owners’ view. It sure would be nice to be able claim an entitlement to public property like that, oh wait, I already do that with the W&OD/4MR park screening me from I-66.

[Henry]

@dasgeh 71017 wrote:

Is there a way to submit written comments?

While there is no formal proposal before the County Board at this time, one can always write to the Members about issues involving the County. Their email addresses are linked here.

[dbb]

It might be good to share the comments with Arlington Parks and Rec so they have a complete set. Maybe Henry has the email address of the lady that was running the meeting

[KLizotte]

@dbb 71091 wrote:

It might be good to share the comments with Arlington Parks and Rec so they have a complete set. Maybe Henry has the email address of the lady that was running the meeting

Yes, I looked for her contact info at the end of the night but nothing was left on the table.

[bobco85]

@dbb 71091 wrote:

It might be good to share the comments with Arlington Parks and Rec so they have a complete set. Maybe Henry has the email address of the lady that was running the meeting

I picked up a business card for Caroline Temmermand (Division Chief of the Parks and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources). Her e-mail address is ctemmermand@arlingtonva.us

[rcannon100]

I have a blog and was going to write up a post sometime. We could draft up a consensus post.

[Henry]

@bobco85 71096 wrote:

I picked up a business card for Caroline Temmermand (Division Chief of the Parks and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources). Her e-mail address is ctemmermand@arlingtonva.us

Thanks, Bob. You beat me to it.

[Author]

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