Steve:
The act of adding on to a historic building or any building really, is a matter of both cost and design. The HALRB [Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board] is cognizant of both elements and works to get the best in design without adding immeasurably, if at all, to the developers beginning, and usually unrealistic low ball, costs. The HALRB primary issues in its design focus is to work with property owners to achieve both the preservation of the historic building while allowing compatibility of design and materials for any additions. The proposed ordinance [Item #36. It passed unanimously through the county board, Saturday. --ST] is supported by the HALRB. The HALRB simply wants to ensure that additions to these historic garden apartments strives for excellence in design and not design dictated by low design standards and inferior material selection.
The work of the HALRB, for all of the complaints people may make, stands for all to see and the end of a project. All of the design and material improvements made at the Gates of Ballston, at the Post Office/Dan Kain project, at the project at Walter Reed and Columbia Pike were based on comments made by the HALRB. If all of these developers had executed their initial design the result would not be half of what you admire today.
It is not a matter of limiting developers on what they can do, rather to work with developers to create a product that is as substantive and valued as the historic buildings they start with.
Michael Leventhal
Historic Preservation Planner, Arlington County
The writer is referring to my "Wonk in Wonderland" column of last Friday. --ST
Has there been any further plans/developments/designs for the Glebe Market and CVS replacements? Sure would like to see out with the old, in with the new, that pleases the HARLB, the developer, and the community. Hope there can be a ground breaking before the end of 2010.
Thank you,
James Vandeputte