So what is it that makes Arlington County enlightened? It is not just that Arlington lands on so many “Best Places” lists that rank household income, social services, a hot real estate market, world-class public education, great parks, athletic facilities or just the hippest places to live. Plenty of counties appear on those lists, yet they don’t get high marks across the board.
It is in Arlington County that folks, from millennials to retirees, can find the perfect coffee shop, diehard sports bars, clubs, taverns and restaurants at almost any hour, on any day. It is a well-grounded, progressively-minded community with “residents who want to stay here for many phases of their lives,” explained Jay Fisette, the longest-serving member of the Arlington County Board.
Fisette wants to expand on Arlington’s innate potential, which he attributes not just to the county’s ability to attract an upwardly mobile population, but to its forward-thinking plans.
“We have challenges that many other counties wish they had,” said Fisette, “such as school enrollment growth and increasing land values. We have succeeded because we have invested in this community, in our transportation, parks, schools and more,” he explained. “We are victims of our own success.”
THE SKY'S THE LIMIT
Fisette knows that his county’s new frontier is upward. He sees vertical growth. “We are the first locality in America to provide the LEED bonus density,” he said. “We use density as a way to incentivize development and secure substantial benefits for the broader community. It is the county’s priority to apply smart growth principles to connect land use and transportation.” Arlington's ongoing commitment to reducing its energy consumption is part of Fisette’s vision for the future.
“If you make the commitment to sustainability, the cost differential is marginal,” he said. “Energy reduction should be community wide. It helps reduce operating cost, makes us more economically competitive, and preserves and protects the environment.” With its LEED bonus density, Arlington County allows developers to add some density if their blueprints incorporate sustainable elements, he explained.
One of the pillars of the Arlington County smart growth policy includes a focus on high-density, mixed-use development along its three primary transportation corridors: Rosslyn-Ballston (Wilson/Clarendon Blvds.), Pentagon City/Crystal City (Route 1), and Columbia Pike. The plan preserves both open spaces and existing residential neighborhoods.
“We have challenges that many other counties wish they had,” said Fisette, “such as school enrollment growth and increasing land values"...“We are victims of our own success.”
BASE REALIGNMENT COMMISION (BRAC) IN ARLINGTON AND CRYSTAL CITY
One continual challenge arose from the BRAC impacts, Fisette explained. As a result of the 2005 BRAC recommendations, Arlington lost more than 4.2 million square feet of leased space. Crystal City is most affected with approximately 3 million square feet.
“We used to have a low 8 percent vacancy rate,” he said. “Now we have vacancies at 21 percent. In 2005, BRAC resulted in the loss of about 18,000 jobs, the bulk in Crystal City. We lost more jobs than any locality in America. Some left the region; some were relocated.”
The newly adopted Crystal City Sector Plan “will ultimately change the nature of Crystal City to a more vibrant place,” he pointed out. “The new balance of jobs and residences should help. [Crystal City] had been more employment-based. The balance was a little off. All of this [mixed-use development] will help Arlington brace for the future.”
REAL ESTATE IN ARLINGTON
Arlington’s overall real estate market is appreciating, he pointed out. “Local government’s primary revenue source is the property tax, and we have an enviable 50-50 split between residential and commercial property,” he continued. “Residents cover up to 75 percent in other Northern Virginia localities.”
The strength of Arlington’s residential market balances the tremendous pressures from the commercial market due to the effects of BRAC and federal leasing policies, sequestration, and regional competition.
This past March, Arlington County saw an increase of 24 percent in home sales, up from 176 in 2014 to 219 sales. The average sold price rose 1.25 percent to $628,483 in March 2015 compared to one year before. That increase pales in comparison to the median sold price, which increased 11 percent. The median 2015 price of $570,000 rose from the 2015 median of $515,000 during that time in 2014. Active listings rose more than 29 percent, which is a sure sign that Arlington homeowners see the current market’s rising tide.
GO TAKE A WALK: THE CAR-FREE DIET
“We offer a full range of transportation,” Fisette explained. “People can walk to their business; take a local bus, a bicycle share. We have a bicycle infrastructure.” Citizens, businesses, and public officials have rallied around Arlington’s Walk Friendly Community designation, actively promoting the walkability throughout the county, he pointed out. Arlington’s future includes incentives that get people out of their cars while helping the environment.
ARLINGTON STRONG!
Arlington deserves high marks as a great place that holds together as one community “We have proven our resiliency," Fisette proudly states, "We have a lot of success ahead of us."
For many, jobs and family concerns are important drivers when deciding the best place to live. Arlington has its marquee welcome sign out for people from any nation, any generation, and all walks of life. Jay Fisette works toward maintaining and enhancing Arlington’s Best Places reputation.
The Case for One of the Greatest Counties in the USA: Arlington, Virginia
Arlington is a compact, urban environment with countless amenities that make it a world-class place to live, work and play.
Just a few recent Arlington accolades:
* Ranked #6 of the Top 10 Healthiest Cities by Livability.com – 2015
* Ranked #7 of The Most Hipster Cities in America by FindTheHome.com – 2015
* Ranked #3 of 100 Best Places to Live by Livability.com – 2015
* Selected as one of the Top 7 Intelligent Communities in the World by Intelligent Communities Forum – 2015, 2014
* Ranked #5 for Best Places for Black-owned Businesses by nerdwallet.com – 2015
* Ranked #1 Post-College Town by USA Today – 2014
* Ranked #1 in Best Cities for Young Entrepreneurs by Nerdwallet.com – 2014
* Ranked #1 for Highest Growth of Millennial Population by RealtyTrac.com – 2014
* Ranked #1 for Highest Percentage of Highly Educated Millennials by Redfin.com – 2014
* Ranked #36 in Top 50 Meetings Destinations in the U.S. by Cvent - 2014
* Ranked #1 of the 20 Best Cities for 20-somethings by Nerdwallet.com – 2013
* Ranked #2 of America's Leading Creative Class Counties by CityLab – 2012
* Ranked #27 as one of America’s 50 Best Cities by Bloomberg Businessweek – 2012
Source: Arlington County Board
Nothing But The Arlington Facts:
* Median household income - $106,400
* Ranked among the top 3 percent of U.S. public high schools
* 71% of adults have at least a bachelor’s degree
* 86 miles of biking and jogging routes
* 26 square miles
* Mass-transit friendly
* AAA bond rating
* Lowest tax rate in the region
* Urban amenities
* Cultural attractions and opportunities
Jill Parker Landsman is the NVAR Vice President for Communications & Media Relations