Marymount University Neighborhood Relations Committee
April 12, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Reinsch Library Board Room

Present: Alice Harrington, Ned Rhodes and Christine Smith.  Also present were George Robinson and Rami Natour from Davis Construction, Matt Pfeiffer and Rob Gibson from Arlington County, Bhavna Mistry Lee, Owners’ Representative and Dr. Ralph Kidder, Dr. Chris Domes, and Frank Rizzo from Marymount University

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read.

Dr. Kidder gave an update on utility undergrounding.  He said that Dominion Virginia Power has removed the overhead lines and poles and had completed their work. Verizon and Washington Gas still have some work to do. Magnolia has begun work on the waterlines on Yorktown Boulevard.  Mr. Rhodes asked for an update on the temporary street lighting.  Mr. Robinson agreed to provide an email response.  Meanwhile, Dr. Domes said there will be a transition until the permanent lights are installed.  Ms. Lee will get a timeline from Arlington County for installation of the permanent lights.

Rob Gibson gave an update on the traffic light at 26th Street.  He said a required VDOT permit was not obtained but has been now.  He expects the work to take about 30 days.  Bhavna asked Mr. Gibson to schedule a coordination meeting with the University in order to minimize disruptions as much as possible.

Mr. Robinson presented Davis’ 30-day look ahead.  He provided a handout and said the precast façade will be substantially completed within 10 working days.  The outside of the building will be completed by about May 1.  The bridge will be begun at the beginning of May.  The Yorktown span will be installed about the third week of May.  Mr. Rhodes noted that trucks are parking on 26th Street several hours at a time by both the mulch pile and the Smith property.  Dr. Kidder said that if trailers are actually sitting for hours on 26th Street that would violate the spirit of our agreement.  Mr. Robinson said they could change the schedule of precast deliveries but it would take longer to finish.  Mr. Rhodes asked at a minimum that the trucks be coned.

Mr. Gibson distributed a copy of the proposed modification of Condition 8.e.  He said this modification must be approved by the County Board at its meeting on April 24, 2010.  He said that a MOT plan must be approved to get a permit for closure and a noise ordinance variance must also be obtained.  Ms. Lee noted that the revised MOT was submitted to the County last Friday.  The University agreed to send out a copy of the MOT once it is approved.  Davis will provide a bridge installation update as part of the weekly update.

Dr. Domes said the County has approved worker parking in the garage.  The Knights of Columbus parking agreement expires near the end of June and we anticipate moving those autos into the garage as well.  Mr. Gibson said that additional parking on Yorktown Boulevard north of the bridge underpass has been approved by the County. It will provide 5-7 additional spaces. Dr. Kidder noted that this approval has nothing to do with the University’s project, to which Mr. Gibson agreed.   Mr. Robinson said the garage will be cleaned and sealed and about 30-40 cars will be parked there beginning in the next few weeks.  Mr. Gibson said this is allowed by code.  Mrs. Smith asked what would happen if the lot was full.  Dr. Domes said the spots will be assigned.  Mr. Robinson said there will be a number and a hang tag.  Dr. Kidder said the number of worker spots will increase as the project is completed further.  Mr. Gibson asked if the University could open the current garage if the new garage is not ready for enough vehicles.  Dr. Kidder agreed to look at this as a contingency.  Mrs. Smith said she favored anything that would get cars off the streets.  Mrs. Harrington asked for better use of the flagmen, to which
Mr. Robinson agreed.  Mr. Rhodes said he was still concerned about parking in general and did not favor worker parking in the garage.  Mr. Gibson thanked Mr. Rhodes for bringing things to our collective attention and assured him that his issues are responded to.

Mr. Rhodes asked about charging faculty and staff for parking.  Dr. Kidder said that parking charges for employees will go into effect on October 1, after the new garage is available. He said that Marymount and Trinity were the only two schools in the entire Metro area that do not charge employees for parking. He noted that the University will educate employees about our “good neighbor policy” and said that for the first time the University will set aside car pool spaces for employees.

Ms. Lee said that the University has applied for three Certificates of Occupancy – garage, shell and core, and master. Mr. Robinson said that each of these certificates requires that certain tasks be accomplished and inspected before they are granted. Ms. Lee noted that this include complying with the remaining development conditions.
 
Dr. Kidder described the plantings that have begun on campus as replacements for the sumac and other trees removed from 26th Street. He said that the University is planting more than 90 trees and ornamental bushes on the main campus. Dr. Domes noted that the project includes an irrigation system on the old garage side of Yorktown Boulevard..

Mrs. Harrington asked about the ribbon cutting. Dr. Domes replied that it will occur during the weekend of October 23-24, 2010.

Mr. Gibson gave an update on the County work at the corner of 26th Street and Old Dominion Drive.  He said a silt fence was installed and he expects about 150 new trees to be planted.  He said the next walkabout for the project will be in about three weeks.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.