Arlington Mill Wins “Excellence in Housing Development” Award

• Partnership between County, APAH, community
• Includes many “green building,”  state-of-the-art features
• Part of  Columbia Pike revitalization 

The Arlington Mill Community and Senior Center and Residences has been awarded a 2015 Urban Land Institute Washington Trends Award for “Excellence in Housing Development.”

The award recognizes Arlington Mill as “a model of excellence because of the long term, focused collaboration between the community, Arlington County, APAH, and the project team. The partners took an ambitious vision and transformed it into a sustainable reality that will serve Arlington County residents for years to come. Of special note in this project is provision of affordable family-sized apartments and a separate 8-unit wing for permanent supportive housing for individuals transitioning from homelessness.”

“Arlington Mill is a great example of how Arlington successfully addressed multiple community goals – a new recreation center, a senior center, affordable housing and great outdoor community space – on a former grocery store site through multi-generational collaboration,” said Arlington County Board Chair Mary Hynes. “There was a continuous effort throughout the project to understand and address the desires and needs of area residents. The wonderful result was worth the more than a decade wait.  The center hums with activity from morning ‘til night – exactly as we all had hoped it would. ”

“Arlington Mill Residences and the Arlington Mill Community Center are the culmination of a long-term, successful collaboration involving APAH, Arlington County, KGD Architects, DSC Design, Hamel Builders, Hitt Contracting, and the community,” said APAH President/CEO Nina Janopaul.  “We are deeply honored to receive this prestigious award that recognizes the importance of affordable housing as an integral part of this remarkable project.”

Arlington Mill Residences

The vision for this project outlined much more than merely a recreation center and site for low income housing – it was designed to serve as a catalyst for community revitalization and redevelopment. Arlington Mill is a central hub of civic activity and contributes to the infrastructure of the Columbia Heights West and Columbia Forest neighborhoods, as well as the greater Columbia Pike community.

Completed by APAH in February 2014, Arlington Mill Residences is the first new affordable housing development of the Columbia Pike corridor revitalization effort. This four-story, 122-unit complex is 100% affordable and includes 98 two- and three-bedroom units to support larger families and 13 units designated for formerly homeless individuals and families.

Last month, Arlington Mill Residences was named EarthCraft Virginia’s “Multi Family New Construction Project of the Year,” and last November it received top honors for “Best Housing Development” at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference.

Arlington Mill Community and Senior Center

The Community and Senior Center is a state-of-the-art facility that brings the community of all ages together in the full-size gym, fitness room, multi-purpose rooms, classrooms and computer center. Green building features, including a green roof, native landscaping, low-flow fixtures and a rain-harvesting system, have earned the project LEED Gold certification.

By co-locating the Community Center and the Residences on public land with a shared underground garage and shared infrastructure costs, the project saved nearly $9 million or about $75,000 per unit. The County provided the land to APAH through a discounted ground lease and APAH purchased a share of the common garage. The unique financing structure enabled APAH to successfully compete for Low Income Housing Tax Credits for the $31 million affordable housing development. The $36 million Community Center was financed by the County with a combination of bonds and carry-over funds from FY 2011 and 2012.

Planning for affordable housing in Arlington

The County is planning for the next generation of housing affordability, a vital component to the community’s social and economic sustainability. Finance and development tools are used to preserve and create affordable housing in the County.

The County Board initiated an Affordable Housing Study in 2012 to evaluate existing policies; assess current programs and resources; and identify needs and gaps in providing affordable housing. The result will be a set of goals and policies that will shape the community’s vision for affordability. In July 2015, the County Board will consider adopting a new Affordable Housing Master Plan as an element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan.

To learn more about the County’s affordable housing goals, visit the County website.

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. Slightly smaller than 26 square miles, it is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, and one of only a handful with the prized Aaa/AAA/AAA bond rating. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods and quality schools, and has received numerous awards for Smart Growth and transit-oriented development. 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.