How should we plan for the future?

Arlington faces several challenges that impact planning for the future.

• Recent changes in the federal job market cost Arlington more defenserelated jobs than any other community in the nation.
• Downsizing federal government offices has contributed to a recent spike in the County’s office vacancy rates - an impact on commercial tax base revenues.
• Residential property values have increased causing a significant loss in the County’s market-rate affordable housing since 2000.
• Arlington’s population is forecasted to grow by 36% between 2010 and 2040, to a total population of 283,000.
• School enrollment is also growing and projected to exceed 30,000 students in five years (2014-15 enrollment is 24,529), increasing capacity needs.
• With growth comes increased demands for public services, open space and recreational options within limited physical space and available resources. 

The Community Facilities Study is facing these challenges head-on through open dialogue and collaboration.

Key questions the study is addressing:

• What are our facility needs for schools, fire stations, recreation, and transportation vehicle and other storage?
• How do we pay for these needs?
• What principles should we use to help us decide where to locate them?
• In the context of changing demographics and economics, what opportunities and challenges are there in our aging affordable and workforce multi-family housing stock?
• What do changes in the Federal government presence and the residential and private commercial marketplace mean for County revenues?

The Community Facilities Study is a collaborative effort between the County, Arlington Public Schools (APS) and the broader community. The study will:

• bring together a collaborative and diverse group of perspectives
• build community consensus
• consider future revenue and facilities needs
• establish a framework that will guide future decision making

The result will be a plan that describes where we are and where we are going as a community. The framework will inform County and School Board decision-making regarding the community’s needs for additional schools and student capacity, fire stations, vehicle storage sites and other facilities over the next 5, 10 and 20 years.

SUBMIT YOUR FEEDBACK: Click here or on the "Your Response" tab above to submit your ideas through June 9, 2015.