Arlington selects contractor for Affordable housing along Columbia Pike

Arlington County Selects Developer for Arlington Mill Affordable Rentals

• 122 committed affordable units
• Most units family-sized
• Adjacent to Arlington Mills Community Center

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Arlington County has selected the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) to build affordable rental apartments, most of them family-sized, on the County site adjacent to the planned Arlington Mill Community Center.

"The APAH team produced an excellent plan to build 122 units of affordable housing right on Columbia Pike,' said Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan. "This project shows sensitivity to the neighborhood's preferences and completes the County's vision for the Arlington Mill site as a vibrant, mixed-use center."

County will own parcel, negotiate lease with developer

The County will retain ownership of the parcel and negotiate a land lease with the developer who will then finance and build the housing. Development costs are expected to be about $30 million. Construction is expected to begin by June 2012, and be completed by December 2013. Construction will be coordinated with construction of the Arlington Mill Community Center, located at 4975 Columbia Pike, with the housing built on a slab that will cover part of the community center's underground parking garage.

Highlights of APAH's proposal:

• 122 units (100% committed affordable) in a mix of efficiency, one, two and three-bedroom units.
• 80% of the units are "family-sized" (two- and three-bedrooms)
• Units targeted to 40%, 50% and 60% Area Median Income (AMI)
• 12 units set aside for supportive housing
• Sustainability features: Earth Craft certified; district energy capacity built-in
• Financing package of tax credit equity and private sector loans
• Lease payments to the County
• Building will meet requirements of the Columbia Pike Form Based Code, including height and materials

APAH selected in competitive process

APAH's selection follows a rigorous, competitive process. APAH's team includes Paradigm Construction and Property Management as the General Contractor and Kishimoto/Gordon/Dalaya, PC as the architects. The County issued a request for proposals for a housing developer in late June, and received five proposals. A Review Team read and scored each proposal and conducted interviews with three finalists.

Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.