Nauck Civic Association

From the President . . .

Jul 30, 2007

Jogging our Memory

As we travel through our neighborhood, we can't help but notice all of the construction work that is taking place along the Shirlington Road corridor. All of this work is part of the Shirlington Road Revitalization Plan that provides a blueprint for the redevelopment of the neighborhood's commercial core.

Settled by free blacks before the Civil War, Nauck is one of Arlington's oldest historically black communities.
The Arlington County Board approved a plan to spark the revitalization the Nauck community, one of Arlington?’s oldest historically African-American neighborhoods, settled by free blacks before the Civil War,
The Nauck Village Center Action Plan approved on Saturday, July 10, 2004 will guide public and private investment to revitalize the neighborhood?’s commercial core. It also recommends guidelines and incentives in the areas of land use and zoning, housing, transportation and open space, among others, to help implement this vision. It is the first phase of a two-part study process for the larger Nauck, Shirlington Road, Four Mile Run area.
The plan covers the area bordered by Glebe Road to the north, the Shirlington Road bend to the south and about one block east and west of Shirlington Road, including the intersection of Shirlington Road and 24th Road S., site of a proposed Nauck Town Center.
In addition to approving the plan, the Board also designated a Nauck Village Center Special Revitalization District (SRD), making properties within its boundaries eligible for the special regulations and incentives recommended in the plan. The Board also approved General Land Use Plan and zoning ordinance amendments that support the plan.
The Nauck Village Center Revitalization Plan includes several recommendations to implement plan goals, including significantly:
?• Develop and implement the Town Square Project Plan ?– The Town Square will be an important focal point for a revitalized Nauck Village Center. Early planning and implementation of this component of the vision will support present and future private investment.
?• Adopt partial property tax exemptions ?– The general exemption lowers the cost of development within the Nauck SRD by exempting the value of future improvements (for certain projects) from taxation. This program increases the length of exemption to 15 years for projects that provide 20 percent affordable housing according to County guidelines.
?• Establish an Infrastructure Funding Assistance Program ?– Provides funds for infrastructure improvements (potentially including sidewalk, curb/gutter, parking and public spaces) to lower costs for the developer allowing projects to go forward in support of the plan.
In order for this project to reach its ultimate goal or aim, we the residents of Nauck must help to recruit new residents and new businesses to our community. We are in the beginning stages of complete development and encourage your participation in our Civic Association to monitor and insure that the plan as adopted is being followed and implemented.
Dr. Alfred O. Taylor, Jr.