Arlington's Smart Growth Journey: Affordability

Development

Arlington's Smart Growth Journey: Affordability

by David Alpert • June 15, 2009 1:00 pm

Arlington has been so successful that many people want to live there. But that very success means many people can't afford to live in most of Arlington. How can the county bring the economic benefits, retail diversity, and walkability to some of its less popular neighborhoods while ensuring that people of all income levels can continue to live in Arlington?

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Tags: affordable housing, Arlington, Columbia Pike, Nauck, video, Virginia

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David Alpert is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Greater Greater Washington. He has had a lifelong interest in great cities and great communities. He worked as a Product Manager for Google for six years and has lived in the Boston, San Francisco, and New York metro areas in addition to Washington, DC. He loves the area which is, in many ways, greater than those others, and wants to see it become even greater.

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I lived in Arlington from 94-00. The whole area became infested with chain stores and restaurants, similar to many neighborhoods in DC. Fortunately, some mom and pop establishments survived the chain attack in Clarendon. Unfortunately, as rents explode many will be forced out along with the middle- and working-classes. So much for diversity.

by sf4fun66 on Jun 15, 2009 3:31 pm

To continue in that vein, I've always found it depressing how little locally-owned retail/restaurants Ballston seems to have. It makes the area feel devoid of character. Ballston is the closest urbanized part of Arlington to me and an easy bike ride, but I almost never go, and can't even remember the last time I went there to eat. Walkable, bikeable, urban, transit-oriented, and yet boring. Well, I guess 4 out of 5's not bad...

by Scott on Jun 15, 2009 4:43 pm

@Scott - I don't disagree on the whole and didn't enjoy Ballston when I lived there in 2001... but try Super Pollo...

by Paul S on Jun 15, 2009 5:05 pm

I love Super Pollo! Alas, it's going to be torn down (so I hear) to make way for yet more development there. The last vestige of "real" Ballston. I remember when it still had Arabic painted on the transom window, even after going Peruvian.

Just about the only diverse, interesting, affordable eateries in that area are now on Lee Highway (Thai Thai, Linda's Cafe, etc.).

by JB on Jun 15, 2009 9:53 pm

I'm sorry but Super Pollo cannot hold a candle to El Pollo Rico (technically not Ballston I guess).

by laur84 on Jun 16, 2009 9:52 am

We've got Peruvian roast chicken coming out our ears(Pollo Rico, others), I can finally get a decent non-bottled Chicha Morada (La Limeña), there are enough restaurants named ceviche that it's confusing, there are Pisco Sours at every bar and alfajores at every corner store, I can drink liquid bubble gum (Inca Kola) bought from Safeway or Lotte. So where's the fried cuy?

by Squalish on Jun 16, 2009 12:46 pm

There are many mom-and-pop restaurants in the Ballston area; they're just not sitting on top of the Metro station. Within an easy walk are Ravi Kabob, Pines of Italy, Two Chefs, Pupuseria Dona Azucena, El Ranchero, El Paso Cafe, Rinconcito Chapin and Bangkok Siam, just to name a few.

As per Super Pollo, I chuckled a bit when it was referred to as "old Ballston," because many of us remember when it used to be a Roy Rogers. Now that's classic Ballston! Fear not, though, for Super Pollo will live on in the redevelopment of the old bus yard.

by Matt! on Jun 16, 2009 1:19 pm