Carlyle Community

The City of Alexandria’s Planning Commission will be meeting on Tuesday, January 5, 2009 2010 and two items in Carlyle are on the docket.

Item #6 covers the Carlyle Lane building (1900 Jamieson Ave) and the two buildings owned by LCOR at 1920 & 2050 Ballenger Ave in Carlyle. The owners of these buildings are requesting an amendment to the overall Carlyle SUP so that the owners of the respective buildings and the leasing agents can broaden their search for tenants in the buildings.

Currently, only true retail businesses like restaurants, the incoming 7-11 store, Frizzles salon, and the dry cleaner that’s on John Carlyle Street are the types of retailers that are allowed in the first floor of the two (2) LCOR buildings on Ballenger. This amendment will allow the owners and leasing agents to try and attract businesses like banks, financial investment offices, schools, health clubs, realty offices, and tax preparation services. Basically, the change will allow the owers and leasing agents to expand their search for tenants.

In the Lane building at Carlyle Center (where the Carlyle Club, GWU, and the Learning Center are located, the second floor must be retail as well. This is also true on the 1920 Ballenger location owned by LCOR. However, Lane and LCOR have had problems trying to attract a retail tenants. Lane in particular has had trouble trying to lease the final 2,800 square feet on the second floor which remains vacant. This amendment will allow Lane & LCOR to try and find a tenant who may need a business/professional office space (e.g. the USPTO).

What I find odd is that on page six of SUP 2009-0067, there is this statement under the ‘Second Floor Retail’ heading from City planning staff that says the following:

Given the retail consultants findings that there is more retail than can be supported in Carlyle, allowing office use as an option for the second floor retail space in blocks G & K would be consistent with their recommendation to reduce and consolidate retail space.

You need a ‘retail consultant’ to tell you that? No wonder our City Government is spending so much money these days. They are spending it on consultants.

• Docket Item #6 (SUP 2009-0067 A & B – PDF file)

Eisenhower East/Carlyle Blocks