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July 2007 E-Newsletter
July 11, 2007 CPRO e-Newsletter
Columbia Pike Blues Festival Draws Record Crowds
A crowd estimated at more than 5,000 people enjoyed great music, delicious foods, and cold beverages on a hot and sunny Father’s Day in South Arlington on June 17. The free outdoor event transformed two blocks of S. Walter Reed Drive, just north of Columbia Pike, into a fun and lively party zone. Music fans packed the seating area near the stage, families enjoyed picnics on the lawn, kids played on jumbo inflatables and got their faces painted, while Rincome Thai, Big Daddy’s BBQ, Amira Mediterranean, and Salvo’s Pizza Pantry served up delectable dishes, and diners of all ages tried to save room for ice cream, funnel cakes and other treats. Civic groups dispensed information, vendors showed off their arts and crafts and other products, and many attendees took advantage of the shopping opportunity. County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson and Vice Chair Walter Tejada were both on hand to greet the crowd and enjoy the festivities. Ferguson said the event is "a perfect example of how Arlington provides world-class entertainment while celebrating its diverse neighborhoods." For more information and to view photos from the Festival click on this link: www.columbiapike.org. For additional photos follow this link:
At the event all of the commemorative t-shirts quickly sold out, so a limited number of additional shirts have been produced. They are available for $12 in adult sizes S,M,L,XL, and 2XL. The creamy yellow shirts are emblazoned with graphics from the Blues Festival’s poster created by Mark Beeson. To see the poster art click here. Contact CPRO’s Amy McWilliams at 703-892-2776 to purchase your 2007 Blues Festival t-shirt today.
Progress Continues at Old Safeway Site
Environmental abatement work was performed over the past week on the former Safeway building on Columbia Pike and S. Wayne St. The effort to remove asbestos was necessary prior to demolition of the building, expected by late this summer, and will make way for excavation for underground parking and then construction of the new 6-story mixed-use Siena Park. Meanwhile, the issue previously raised by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the height of the new building has been resolved. Last month, in a reversal of course, the FAA issued a “Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation.”
Planning for 1st Annual International Food Festival Underway
Columbia Pike is home to one of the most ethnically diverse communities in America, and boasts many excellent restaurants featuring the cuisines of countries around the world. So, wouldn’t an annual Columbia Pike International Food Festival be a perfect way to highlight what is deliciously unique about the Pike, and a way to bring together people from the Pike’s many neighborhoods? That’s what we thought! An early to mid-October date is being considered, and a location being confirmed. Please contact CPRO (jwhittaker@columbiapike.org or 703-892-2776) with your ideas, or to volunteer to help us with planning, or to express an interest in having a food booth at the event. Thank you!
Columbia Pike to be Topic at Area’s First Urban Marketplace Conference & Expo
An upcoming event by The Urban Land Institute (ULI) will focus on redevelopment opportunities and revitalization strategies in the Washington DC region. The September 14 conference to be held at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center will include an afternoon session entitled “Secrets to Unlocking Opportunities in Emerging Corridors.” The focus of that discussion will be on Columbia Pike, Brookland in Northeast DC, and Port Towns and Gateway Arts District in Prince George’s County. For more information go to: www.washington.uli.org
New Single Family Homes Along S. Glebe Rd. Nearly Sold Out
Majestic Oak by Courtland Homes is a new community to be made up of 11 single family homes and 11 garage townhouses just two blocks south of Columbia Pike on the western side of S. Glebe Rd. Only one of the single family homes remains available, and is priced at $879,900. The garage townhomes will be released for sale this Fall. For more information call 571-212-4065.
Eckerd Pharmacies to Become Rite Aid
Last month Rite Aid announced that it is acquiring the Eckerd chain of drug stores in a move that will give Rite Aid 5,000 stores nationwide. Rite Aid has indicated that Eckerd pharmacy staff will remain in their current stores. Over the next several months signage and product line changes will occur at the Eckerd store on Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Dr. Meanwhile, Rite Aid has decided to not renew the lease for their store on S. George Mason and Columbia Pike. That space will be available for a new tenant in September. Interested parties should contact Property Manager Mike Bennett at 703-527-0400.
CPRO and Arlington Economic Development (AED) to Launch New Small Business Networking Initiative
A series of events designed to assist Columbia Pike businesses are now being planned. These will enable local business people to learn about services that are available to start-ups, existing small businesses, and expanding companies, hear about business opportunities on the Pike, and network with others who can help them grow their businesses. The first event is being targeted for early September. Please contact CPRO via email at jwhittaker@columbiapike.org to be added to our list of people to invite, or to volunteer to help us with this initiative.
Contact Us
As always, the CPRO staff welcomes your input. Email your suggestions, questions, comments, and offers of assistance to jwhittaker@columbiapike.org or call 703-892-2776.
Know someone who would like to receive the CPRO e-Newsletter? Please send us email addresses and we will add them to our distribution list.
As always, for more information about what’s happening on the Pike go to www.columbiapike.org
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