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.
Current Engagement Opportunities
New! Joint LRPC/Zoning Committee Meeting
Tuesday, May 11: The Long Range Planning Commission (LRPC) will be meeting jointly with the Zoning Committee on the evening of Tuesday, May 11 to discuss the Clarendon Revitalization District Maximum Height Limit Map. This meeting will be open to virtual attendance by the public; visit the LRPC page to learn how to join the meeting.
New! Public Meeting: Century Center Site Plan Amendment
Monday, May 17: Planning staff will host a virtual public meeting to provide an update for a proposed site plan amendment at Century Center, located at 2450 Crystal Drive. After a brief presentation, staff and the applicant will be available to accept questions and comments. This meeting will be held online on Monday, May 17, from 12PM to 1PM.
New! Crystal City Building Heights Virtual Meeting
Monday, May 17: The Long Range Planning Commission (LRPC) will be meeting on the evening of Monday, May 17 to discuss the Crystal City Building Heights Study. This meeting will be open to virtual attendance by the public; visit the LRPC page to learn how to join the meeting.
New! Lubber Run Bridge Replacement Project
Through Tuesday, May 18: A flash flood in 2019 destroyed two bridges in Lubber Run Park. Arlington now has funding to design one bridge in the park somewhere along the stream and trail corridor. Help us get a better understanding of how you have used the existing and former crossings, how you arrive and exit, and what your main uses are when you visit. Share your feedback online through Tuesday, May 18.
Fill-the-Cruiser Food Drive for AFAC
Tuesday, May 18: The Arlington County Police Department’s Community Resources Section is conducting the 2nd Annual Fill the Cruiser food drive in support of the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) at three drive-thru donation stations on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.See the list of requested items and drive-thru locations on this press release.
Vote for Arlington’s New County Logo
Through Wednesday, May 26: The Logo Review Panel has narrowed down choices to the top five options, and now it’s your turn to tell us which two should move forward for the County Board’s decision! Vote online in English or Spanish now through May 26.
New! Cardinal Elementary School Stormwater Detention Vault Public Meeting
Wednesday, May 26: Attend this virtual meeting to learn about the stormwater detention vault that is planned to be installed under the athletic fields at the new Cardinal Elementary School. At this meeting, County and APS staff will review designs for the vault, discuss plans for safely managing the vault construction while school is in session, and answer questions from the community. Learn how to join this meeting online or by phone by visiting the event page.
New! Public Spaces Master Plan (PSMP) Implementation Advisory Committee Meeting
Through Thursday, May 27: The Public Spaces Master Plan Implementation Advisory Committee (PSMP-IAC) will meet virtually on Thursday, May 13 from 7-9 p.m. Click here for more information about this virtual meeting.
Plan Lee Highway Virtual Meetings
Through Thursday, May 27: Each neighborhood area in the Plan Lee Highway study will hold two County-sponsored virtual events to present the study team’s analysis of different land-use scenarios: a Presentation & Panel Discussion, followed by a Community Meeting. Visit the Plan Lee Highway page to learn more.
New Date! Crystal City Bike Network Community Meeting
Wednesday, May 28: Designs are underway to improve pedestrian crossings, intersection safety, and accessibility at two priority intersections along North Ohio Street. We invite you to join us for a brief presentation on the project and the concept design, followed by a question & answer period with project staff. This event will be held on the evening of June 2, 2021; visit the event page to learn how to join.
New! N. Ohio Street Safety Project Community Meeting
Wednesday, June 2: Designs are underway to improve pedestrian crossings, intersection safety, and accessibility at two priority intersections along North Ohio Street. We invite you to join us for a brief presentation on the project and the concept design, followed by a question & answer period with project staff. This event will be held on the evening of June 2, 2021; visit the event page to learn how to join.
New! What Housing Types Should be Studied?
Wednesday, June 2: The Missing Middle Housing Study kicked off in October 2020, and in the first half of Phase I hundreds of people participated in the study. The next step is to narrow the focus of the study. Based on the priorities and concerns we heard, this engagement will explore housing typologies and help determine which types to study further. Visit the MMHS page to read the feedback and provide your thoughts online through Tuesday, June 8.
Ground Story Uses Study Feedback
Through Tuesday, June 15:The County would like your feedback on the Ground Story Uses Study, which will inform recommendations for permitting more use types for ground-floor commercial spaces in different parts of Columbia Pike. Find background information and provide your feedback online through June 15.
VDOT Virginia Commuter Survey Part 3
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing how many Virginians commute. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released the third survey in a series that aims to understand how commutes are changing and identify opportunities to improve commuting during and after this pandemic. Learn more about VDOT’s survey series and complete the questionnaire online.
GMU COVIDSmart Study
COVIDSmart, an initiative co-sponsored by George Mason University, is inviting residents of Virginia over the age of 18 to participate in a study about the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on their lives. One does not need to have had COVID to participate. Learn more at the COVIDSmart study page.
Highlights from Previous Opportunities
Missing Middle Housing Study Phase 1 Summary: The Missing Middle Housing Study kicked off in October 2020, and in the first half of Phase I hundreds of people participated in the study. Learn what feedback community members provided on the MMHS page.
Vision Zero Action Plan Feedback and Next Steps: Your feedback told us that the community largely agrees that this Action Plan can improve safety for people traveling in Arlington. If you are interested in learning more about the input we received and how we used it, check out this short public engagement summary. The Vision Zero Action Plan will go before the Arlington County Board this May. In the meantime, take a look at the Vision Zero Crash Dashboard and stay updated with the Vision Zero website.
Forestry and Natural Resources Plan Online Engagement Summary: Late last year, Arlington County collected over 1,000 submissions and nearly 3,500 comments across three online questionnaires regarding the Forestry and Natural Resources Plan. Questions about the three focus areas focused on how community members currently experience Arlington’s forestry and natural resources and what they envision for the future. Take a look at key findings, major themes, and community comments in the Online Engagement Summary Report.
Water and Wastewater Utility Rate Study Project Update: A summary report and comments from our most recent online Water and Wastewater Utility Rate Study questionnaire have been posted on the rate study project page.
Summary Presentation on Dialogues on Race and Equity: On January 26, 2021, Arlington County’s Chief Race and Equity Officer, Samia Byrd, and Director of Challenging Racism, Alicia Jones McLeod, presented the findings/summary of the Dialogues on Race and Equity efforts at the County Board Recessed Meeting. Visit the DRE page to watch the presentation and view the PowerPoint slide.
Police Practices Group (PPG): Members of the community had an opportunity to provide insights and comments to inform the PPG work plan. Additional comments can be submitted to policepracticesgroup@arlingtonva.us. Stay tuned for a summary of the community feedback coming soon!
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.