The Public Process

Columbia Pike Streetcar process timeline

March 2002 – Columbia Pike Revitalization Plan identifies need for transit improvements.

2004 – Street Space Plan approved;  incorporates basic alignment, stop concepts

2004 - 2006 – Transit study, public review alternatives

  • Meetings with over 40 groups and committees
    • Arlington County Transit Advisory Committee
    • Civic and Neighborhood Associations
    • Columbia Pike Implementation Team
    • Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization
  • Website updates, with opportunities for public comment
  • Policy Committee Meetings – representatives of decision makers from the jurisdictions and public agencies.  The meetings were open to the public
    •  July 21, 2004
    • December 1, 2004
    • April 21, 2005
  • Technical Working Group – transportation and planning representatives from local, state, federal agencies – 14 meetings in 2004 and 2005

November 8 and 10, 2004 – Public Open House Meetings

April 25 and 26, 2005 – Public Open House Meetings

July 2005 – Arlington/Fairfax agreement to jointly conduct Alternatives Analysis

March 20, 2006 – Public Open House Meeting (160 people)

April 6, 2006 – Arlington County Transportation Commission Public Hearing (Recommended County Board endorse the Modified Streetcar Alternative [10-0 vote])

April 6, 2006 – Arlington County Planning Commission Public Hearing (Recommended that County Board endorse the Modified Streetcar Alternative [9-1 vote])

April 22, 2006 – Arlington County Board Public Hearing (Board approves CM recommendation for LPA [5-0])

May 1, 2006 – Fairfax BOS Public Hearing (BOS approves Co Exec recommendation for LPA)

2009 – Transit Element of the MTP approved by County Board;  incorporates streetcar plans.

2009- 2012 – Columbia Pike Transit Initiative (2)
– Alternative Analysis/Environmental Assessment Study

Outreach efforts undertaken in compliance with federal requirements pertaining to Alternative Analysis studies and environmental studies performed under NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act), with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) representatives overseeing the outreach and coordination efforts.

A variety of outreach efforts were undertaken to involve the public and stakeholders.  This included special efforts to involve historically underrepresented populations and English as Second Language (ESL) groups. 

  • Community and Stakeholder meetings.  Presentations to 36 community and stakeholder groups, including Northern Virginia Community College, civic and neighborhood associations, disability and transit advisory committees.  There were multiple presentations to several of the groups over the course of the study. 
  • Project Website Updates, with opportunities for public comment 
  • Project Mailing list, with numerous project updates and meeting notices to over 1100 recipients
  • Media releases regarding public outreach events and meetings, with extensive media coverage
  • Policy Committee – representatives of decision makers from the jurisdictions and public agencies.  The meetings were open to the public: 
    • November 4, 2009
    • May 5, 2010
    • October 29, 2010
    • December 2, 2011
    • February 29, 2012
    • June 22, 2012
    • March 10, 2010
    • October 7, 2010
    • December 5, 2011
    • December 1, 2009
    • June 15, 2010
    • September 14, 2010
    • December 7, 2011
  • Community Coordination Committee (CCC) meetings.  The CCC is comprised of citizens, commercial and business interests and advisory groups in Arlington County and Fairfax County.  Members include representatives from 28 civic associations (14 Arlington County, 14 Fairfax County) 13 commercial property owners (7 Arlington County, 6 Fairfax County ),7 office and retail tenant, the Arlington County Transit Advisory Committee, Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO), as well as the public.  Three CCC meetings were held during  the study:
    • March 10, 2010
    • October 7, 2010
    • December 5, 2011
  • Technical Advisory Committee. The TAC is comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local government agencies. Their role has been to provide staff recommendations and advice on technical matters related to the project.   Four meetings were held during the study:
    • December 1, 2009
    • June 15, 2010
    • September 14, 2010
    • December 7, 2011

November 15, 2010 – Public Open House meeting (112 attendees)

November 18, 2010 – Public Open House meeting (145 attendees)

June 6, 2012 – Public Open House meeting (159 attendees)

June 7, 2012 – Public Open House meeting (109 attendees)

July 5, 2012 – Arlington County Transportation Commission Public Hearing (Recommended adoption of Streetcar [10-0 vote])

July 24, 2012 – Arlington County Board Public Hearing (Board approves CM recommendation for Streetcar as Locally Preferred Alternative; authorizes the County Manager in cooperation with Fairfax County to file an application as the project sponsor for project development approval within the federal New Starts/Small Starts program  [4-0 vote; 1 abstaining])

July 31, 2012 – Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Public Hearing (BOS approves Co Exec recommendation of Streetcar as Locally Preferred Alternative, etc.)

September 2012 – Application filed with Federal Transit Administration