Politics & Government
Hearing Set to Discuss Plans for Polk Avenue Land
City purchased land for $1.9 million, most provided by the Defense Department to mitigate loss of open space in West End Alexandria.
The Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission will hold a public hearing on what to do with recently acquired open space in West End Alexandria.
The property is located at 5325 Polk Avenue and the hearing is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4643 Taney Ave. The proposed plan will be posted online beginning the next day at www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation.
The land was once part of a large plantation owned by the Terrett family beginning in 1741. The land changed hands through the years and was eventually sold to the Eddy family in 1941. (The Sevareid home next to the new park and currently on the market was also once part of the Terrett family land.)
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Alexandria acquired the property, a wooded natural area, in December 2012. The city's purchase of the 2.34 acre land used the $1.5 million provided by the Department of Defense to mitigate loss of open space in the West End, as well as $0.4 million in City Open Space funds. That price was $400,000 higher than the assessed value.
Neighbors who signed a petition were not happy with plans to build 42 apartment homes on the property by Polk Avenue Bros. LLC and Bonaventure Realty Group.
In the winter and spring of 2013, city staff held a public meeting and received public comments regarding the future design of the natural area. On June 15, City Council held a ribbon cutting for the property.
Individuals who are unable to attend the public hearing may send written comments on the proposed plan to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Attention: William Chesley, Deputy Director, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314; e-mail william.chesley@alexandriava.gov; or fax to (703) 684-6826 by 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19.
The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the American with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, please call William Chesley at (703) 746-5426 (VA Relay 711) or e-mail william.chesley@alexandriava.gov.
Find out what's happening in West End Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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