Civic engagement is at the heart of Arlington. Find a way to make a difference in your community — share feedback today, or find ways to get more deeply involved.
Highlighted Engagement Opportunities
8th Rd N & N Lexington St – Safe Routes to School Street Project
Through Friday, December 4: The County would like your feedback on a proposed design for a sidewalk in the Bluemont area. This project was identified as a needed improvement to provide a safe, accessible pedestrian route to connect students and Bluemont residents to Wilson Boulevard and Ashlawn Elementary School. Learn more on the project’s website, then provide your feedback online through Friday, December 4.
Food Scraps Collection Program
Through Friday, December 4: Arlington County is considering expanding residential organics collection services to include food scraps co-collected in the green yard waste cart, along with yard trimmings. Please provide your feedback regarding interest in the food scraps collection program by Friday, December 4.
Army Navy Drive Complete Streets
Through Friday, December 4: The County would like your feedback on proposed designs for improvements on Army Navy Drive. The project will re-build Army Navy Drive within the existing right-of-way as a multimodal complete street featuring enhanced bicycle, transit, environmental and pedestrian facilities. The goal of the project is to improve the local connections between the Pentagon and the commercial, residential and retail services in Pentagon City and Crystal City.
- Provide written comment (Reference “Army Navy Drive”)
- Via email to Mr. John Lawler (jlawler@arlingtonva.us)
- By mail to Mr. Jon Lawler, P.E., Project Manager,
2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 900,
Arlington, VA 22201
Courthouse Landmark Block Site Plan Review
Monday, December 7: The Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) will host a virtual public meeting to review a proposed site plan at 2050 Wilson Blvd. known as Courthouse Landmark Block. Visit the project page to join the meeting shortly before it commences at 7pm on Monday, December 7.
George Mason’s Master Plan Session
Tuesday, December 8: The community is invited to attend Mason’s fourth virtual Master Plan Engagement Session on Tuesday, December 8, from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. During this session, consultants will discuss several potential scenarios for the development of Mason’s three primary campuses in Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties. Guests will have an active discussion to share thoughts and answer any questions. Learn more about the project and details to join the session on the project website.
Pentagon City Planning Study Workshop
Wednesday, December 9: Share your priorities and questions in small groups on draft planning principles and performance metrics to help plan for the future of the Pentagon City area. Register for the workshop on the event page.
Build Arlington’s Forestry and Natural Resources Plan
Through Friday, December 11: Arlington is developing its Forestry and Natural Resources Plan, which will provide strategies to support current conditions and future possibilities to advance Arlington’s stewardship of its trees and natural resources. Share your perceptions, interests and aspirations about the county’s conservation and maintenance of our ecosystems over the next year to inform the development of this plan and bring your priorities to life. Provide your feedback online through Friday, December 11.
Fort Henry Gardens Site Plan Review
Monday, December 14: The Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) will host a virtual public meeting to review a proposed site plan at 2409 S. Lowell Street known as Fort Henry Gardens. For additional information about the SPRC process and for information about MS Teams, please visit this page.
Submit the Colors of Columbia Pike for Transit Art
Through Thursday, December 17: Public artwork will be included on the canopy of the new Transit Stations. But first, we need you to help the selected artist, Spencer Finch, get to know Columbia Pike! Share how you experience the Columbia Pike area and what colors or images best symbolize the neighborhood online here through Thursday, December 17.
Dialogues on Race and Equity (DRE)
In the last year, Arlington County has joined governments across the region — even nationwide — to advance initiatives around racial equity, and has partnered with Challenging Racism to create opportunities for the community to share their experiences and perspectives on race and equitable efforts in Arlington County.
Three Ways to Participate
- Take the online assessment
- Join a virtual conversation session through Wednesday, December 9.
- Sign up to be a partner: Join us in hosting interactive conversations within your own networks and with other organizations.
Police Chief Recruitment
Through December 11: Arlington County is in the process of hiring a new Police Chief. At this stage we are working to develop a clear understanding of the background, experience, capabilities, and character of the kind of law enforcement professional that would be best suited for this role in Arlington.
Missing Middle Housing Study
Through December 31: The MMHS will evaluate how housing types that fit between single-family detached homes and mid- to high-rise apartment buildings could help fill Arlington’s intermediary gaps in housing supply and options. Provide your feedback or become a community partner.
Two Ways to Participate:
- Online (By December 31)
- Ongoing: Sign up to be a partner. Add to the variety of perspectives and share your experience toward the study’s goals
Police Practices Group (PPG)
The County Manager appointed Police Practices Work Group (PPG) focuses on the associated processes for reviewing ACPD policies, exploring promising practices, and developing a set of recommendations. Learn more about the PPG and its members and catch up on the community conversations and learning sessions. Members of the community had an opportunity to provide insights and comments to inform the PPG work plan. Stay tuned for a summary of the community feedback coming soon!
Affordable Housing Master Plan Review
POSTPONED: The County is conducting a five-year review of the Affordable Housing Master Plan (AHMP), with the initial step of updating Arlington’s Housing Needs Analysis. The 2015 AHMP detailed how housing was integral to the County’s vision and set forth three main goals: increase supply, ensure access, and contribute to a sustainable community. Join the webinar to learn about characteristics of Arlington’s population, current housing needs, and forecasted housing demand. Stay tuned for more info!
Plan Lee Highway Phase 1 Reports
The Plan Lee Highway committee has completed two reports as results of Phase 1 of the Plan Lee Highway project to discuss the future of the Lee Highway area. You can read the Historic and Cultural Resources Report, and highlights of Lee Highway neighborhoods in the Neighborhood Inspiration Report, and learn more about the project to prepare to give feedback in Phase 2 when online engagement goes live.
Join us for Open Door Mondays where a board member will be available to discuss the topics on your mind.
Connect With Constituent Services!
The Constituent Services Team helps ensure Arlington’s government works for all those living, working, conducting business or visiting the County. The team provides a link between residents, businesses, visitors and employees who have problems or are seeking information and solutions.
Visit the Arlington Public Schools engage page to learn about current news and initiatives.
Get More Involved
Join Your Civic Association
The core of neighborhood activity, events & issues – there’s one in every corner of Arlington.
Serve on an Advisory Group
Take stewardship to the next level. 50+ boards & commissions advise the County Board on policy matters. Submit an Application
Attend Neighborhood College
It’s back-to-school time for those interested in getting involved with neighborhood issues.
Volunteer Locally
Online Volunteer Connection can help find the right fit for you — with a search tool, volunteer calendar, and notification feature.
Get Involved with a Community Organization
Serve your community through the interests that you are most passionate about.
Serve During Emergencies
Join a dedicated group of volunteers who help with the County’s emergency preparedness — and who assist should a disaster strike.
Watch County Board Meetings
One of the easiest ways to learn more about how your community and government works. Or sign up to speak at a County Board Meeting.
Help on Election Days
600+ Arlington citizens serve as election officers at polls. And register to vote!
Other Resources
- Service Request / Report a Problem
- Food, Financial and Medical Assistance
- My Arlington Projects Map
- My Arlington Apartments & Condos Map
- A-Z Directory of Services
- Resident & Business Ombudsmen
- Projects & Planning Site – details on projects around Arlington, by neighborhood and topic
- Open Data Portal – view County data; share input on info you’d like to see
Looking for a quick guide to ways you can connect with Arlington County online?
Download our Engage Arlington flyer.
Background
The PLACE initiative — Participation, Leadership, and Civic Engagement — launched in 2012 and was focused on updating the “Arlington Way” by expanding the ways in which our residents engage with each other and our government to enrich Arlington.