TJ Site Evaluation Documents

The Thomas Jefferson Working Group presented their site evaluation recommendations in a report to the County Board at its January 24, 2015 meeting. The group generally agreed that the new school could fit on the western side of the Jefferson site, but was divided whether the school should be built immediately. The final report includes a summary of conclusions, site guidelines and the group’s unified endorsement of a comprehensive facilities and open space planning effort.

Working Group Documents

Statement from the Arlington School Board
February 5, 2015

• Elementary School Capacity in South Arlington: Next Steps

County Board motion in response to the School Board request to allow construction of a new elementary school at the Thomas Jefferson Site
January 27, 2015

• County Board motion

Working Group Final Report`
January 16, 2015

• TJWG Final Report
• TJWG Final Report Cover Letter (en espanol)

Working Group Meeting #10
January 13, 2015

• Agenda

Working Group Meeting #9
January 8, 2015

• Agenda
• Theoretical Long-range Planning Concepts from VMDO Architects 

Working Group Meeting #8
December 15, 2014

• Agenda
• Transportation Presentations from Toole Design Group and County Staff

County Board Work Session
December 2, 2014

• Preliminary Report from the TJ Working Group*This report was updated on December 1, 2014 to correct an error on page 3. The correct assessed value of the park property west of the school is around $3.5 million.

Working Group Meeting #7
November 20, 2014

• Agenda
• Results of the Online Feedback Form (open from October 18 through November 15)
• Update Building Schemes from VMDO Architects
• Additional Traffic Information from Toole Design Group (Boards)
• Additional Traffic Information from Toole Design Group (Handout to Working Group)

Site Evaluation Survey Results
October 18 – November 15, 2014

• Survey Results

Working Group Meeting #6
November 10, 2014

• Agenda
• Transportation Presentation from Toole Design Group

Working Group Meeting #5
November 5, 2014

• Agenda
• Building Scheme Presentation from VMDO Architects
• Parking Presentation from Toole Design Group
• Survey Results from Alcova Heights 

Working Group Meeting #4
October 29, 2014

• Agenda
• Summary of Public Feedback (as of October 29)

Working Group Meeting #3 – Community Open House
October 18, 2014

• Building Schemes – Open House Presentation Boards from VMDO Architects

Working Group Meeting #2
October 1, 2014

• Agenda
• Schools Presentation from APS
• Transportation Presentation from Toole Design Group
• Building Scheme Presentation from VMDO Architects 
• TJ Complex Joint Use Agreement (March, 1988)
• TJWG Supplemental Evaluation Materials (distributed on October 1, 2014)
• TJWG Revised Evaluation Materials (distributed on October 1, 2014)
• TJ Land Assessment & Recent County Acquisitions 
• Building Scheme Summaries
• Criteria for Consideration of Arlington County Facilities & Land in APS’s Capacity Planning Process (2011 memo)

Working Group Meeting #1
September 20, 2014

• Agenda
• Public Land for Schools Memo
• 1972 TJ Facility Booklet
• Excerpt from 2008 Arlington Heights Civic Association Neighborhood Conservation Plan
• TJWG Evaluation Materials – General Site Conditions & Area Demographics
• TJWG Evaluation Materials – Park & Community Center 
• TJWG Evaluation Materials – Transportation

Reference & Background

• Criteria for Consideration of Arlington County Facilities & Land in Arlington Public Schools Capacity Planning Process (November 30, 2011)
• Principles of Civic Design in Arlington, Public Facilities Review Committee (December 2008)
• Revised Working Group Charge   (August 12, 2014)

Previous TJ Site Evaluation Charge Documents

• Working Group Charge (July 24, 2014)

Archived Updates

On Saturday, October 18, the TJ Working Group and the County Planning Division facilitated a community open house to provide an opportunity for neighborhood residents, parents, and community interest groups to share their ideas regarding the future of Thomas Jefferson site. More than 130 people attended the event.

Participants discussed current site and neighborhood conditions, including land use, environmental, park, recreation, transportation, and parking. Arlington Public Schools (APS) representatives were also on hand to answer questions about the site selection process and to gather feedback on alternative school concept plans.

“The open house enabled residents, Working Group members and staff to talk informally about the challenges of trying to fit an elementary school on a site already hosting a middle school, valuable green space, and much-used outdoor and indoor recreational facilities,” said Carrie Johnson, Working Group Chair. “The discussions and feedback will help clarify key issues to be addressed in the Working Group’s preliminary report to the County Board late next month and our final report in January.”

Robert Duffy, Planning Director for Arlington County noted, “The event demonstrated the importance of an open and collaborative partnership and process that involves the community, Arlington County, and APS in considering the future location of schools and related capital investments.”