ARLINGTON, Va. --- Late Tuesday night, the Arlington County Board adopted a resolution that authorizes the County Manager to make a bona fide offer to purchase the land and improvements at 2020 14^thStreet North in Arlington.

 

The County has compelling reasons to acquire the property, County Manager Barbara Donnellan said. The new space will help the County meet immediate and evolving space needs, and allow the County to move toward completing the vibrant, mixed-use complex at Courthouse Plaza that has been envisioned since the 1980s.  It also will allow the County Board to fulfill a commitment to the community to replace the inadequate Emergency Winter Shelter with a year-round, Comprehensive Homeless Services Center. Read an earlier press release that explains the rationale in more detail.

 

“This acquisition helps us meet both current needs and strategic goals,” said Christopher Zimmerman, chairman of the Arlington County Board. “It will give County operations needed space, facilitate the completion of the vision for Courthouse Square, and provide the opportunity to create a year-round Comprehensive Homeless Services Center.”

 

The Board’s action sets in motion an extensive acquisition process. If a voluntary purchase is not successful, then the County may acquire the property by eminent domain. After the County acquires the property, it will engage in a separate use permit process for consideration of the Comprehensive Homeless Services Center and the County Board directed the County Manager to formulate a robust public process to include all stakeholders.

 

The Board vote on the resolution was unanimous. To learn more, visit the County website to read the staff report and the resolution. You can also watch video of the meeting. Scroll down to Item #35 on the Agenda for the Dec. 13, 2011 Recessed Meeting.