TJ Site Evaluation Process
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.
(JPG, 1MB) The TJ Site Evaluation process is a collaboration between the County, Arlington Public Schools, the TJ Working Group and the community. Meetings began in September 2014 and recommendations are expected in January 2015.
Timeline and Milestone
- September 2014 - County Board appoints members to TJ Working Group
- September – November 2014 - TJ Working Group meetings
- November 2014 - County Board & TJ Working Group progress report and/or check-in work session
- January 2015 - County Board & School Board joint work session
Study Area
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.
The Study Area, located within the boundary of the Arlington Heights Civic Association, currently includesTJ Middle School, a community garden, Thomas Jefferson Community Center and Park, surface parking lots, open space, playgrounds and multiple recreational fields and courts. The site is also home to the annual Arlington County Fair.
It is bounded by Arlington Boulevard to the north, South Irving Street to the east, 2nd Street South to the south, South Old Glebe Road to the west and excludes a series of single family homes located at the northwest corner of the site facing Arlington Boulevard.
Working Group
The Thomas Jefferson (TJ) Working Group is charged with evaluating the TJ Site and making a recommendation on whether or not an elementary school should be built on any part of this site. The group is composed of representatives from various advisory boards and commissions, nearby civic associations, Arlington Public Schools, and civic representatives who will provide valuable insight during the process.
Key Expectations and Members
Key expectations of the TJ Working Group
- Consider the perspectives of citizens, neighbors, commissions, school, civic and advocacy groups
- Evaluate consistency of proposal with adopted County policies
- Work collaboratively with staff and APS to review options considered by APS to meet elementary school needs
- Provide a final recommendation on use question, and input on recommendations regarding general conditions, and design principles (design, scale, massing, access, etc.) should the site be deemed appropriate for an elementary school
- Provide strategic guidance on and help to facilitate community engagement during the study
- Contribute to and review draft and final recommendations and reports
- Gather feedback from the community and act as liaisons and conduits of information to and from their representative groups throughout the process
TJ Working Group Members
The County Board appointed the following members to the TJ Working Group on September 16, 2014:
Carrie Johnson – TJ Working Group Chair
Stacey Whyte – At-large
Steve Sockwell – Planning Commission, Public Facilities Review Committee
Michael Perkins – Transportation Commission, Public Facilities Review Committee
Mike Hanna – Environment & Energy Conservation Commission, Public Facilities Review Committee
Elizabeth Gearin – Parks and Recreation Commission, Public Facilities Review Committee
Stephen Hughes – Arlington Heights Civic Association
Lois Koontz – Alcova Heights Civic Association
Gregory Morse – Ashton Heights Civic Association
Daniel Weir – Barcroft Civic Association
Alison Tomlinson – Douglas Park Civic Association
John Goldener – Lyon Park Civic Association
Andrew Moore – Penrose Civic Association
Rene Gornal – Arlington County Fair Board
Janine Velasco – Arlington Public Schools Facilities Advisory Council
Greg Greeley – Arlington Public Schools Facilities Advisory Council
Jim Presswood – Friends of TJ Park
Craig Esherick – Sports Commission
Polly Hall – Thomas Jefferson Parent Teacher Association
Nora Palmatier – Urban Forestry Commission