The construction manager for the Harris Teeter site redevelopment (624 N. Glebe Road) has asked us to help share this notice regarding upcoming changes to the sidewalk on the south side of Glebe Rd. The project is in the Buckingham neighborhood, next to Bluemont.

In mid-January, the sidewalk will be closed, due to Virginia Department of Transportation’s safety concerns for pedestrians as the construction project begins to go vertical.

There will be two detour paths to get around the closed sidewalk:

(1) The first detour will be to cross Glebe Road, travel down the north sidewalk and then cross back again at the next intersection.
(2) The second detour created is a path from Thomas Street to the Harris Teeter parking lot. This path is open to everyone and may provide an easier way to get around the closed sidewalk on Glebe Road.

The construction manager provided drawing to show the new path to the Harris Teeter parking lot. Please let your neighbors know about these changes and the new path to the Harris Teeter. Bluemont residents are welcome to contact exec@bluemontcivic.org with any questions.

We have been asked to help spread the word that the Annual Boy Scout Troop 111 Blood Drive is scheduled for Sunday, February 27th from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at St. Agnes Church, 1910 N Randolph St, Arlington, VA 22207

The need for blood is critical, as we are in a national blood crisis. The pandemic has decreased the number of drives and donations, and hospitals across the country have reached dangerously low blood supplies, the lowest level in 20 years. We would appreciate your support.

If you haven't been eligible in the past, you may be now; eligibility restrictions due to various travel/military experiences have eased.

Please sign up through the link: https://bit.ly/BoyScoutTroop0227 and Login/Create an account. You can also call 1(866) 256-6372 and use Sponsor Code 7810. Please contact Mike Podratsky at mtpodratsky@gmail.com with any questions or issues signing up.

Arlington County has asked us to help spread this update about Lubber Run and Ballston Pond related to the pond restoration project and some changes we may see in the stream in the coming months.

Key is that if you see pollution in Lubber Run, please immediately call the Emergency Communications Center 703-558-2222 so that County Staff can respond quickly. Here is the key information from the County update:

Lubber Run provides a sanctuary for neighborhood nature and park lovers. Now that the Ballston Pond project has started construction, the County wanted to let people know about some changes we may see in the stream. As you may already know, Lubber Run flows from Woodlawn Park into Ballston Pond before reaching Lubber Run Park downstream.

For years, Ballston Pond has helped capture sediment from upstream sources. While work is going on in the pond, the stream is being pumped around the construction area.  If any pollution enters Lubber Run, the pond will no longer mitigate it. There are measures in place to filter some pollution at the pump intake. However, during a large storm, the flow may bypass the pump.

There are also significant erosion and sediment controls on site to minimize sediment discharge from the pond project to the stream. County staff will be working with the project team to ensure that they remain effective for the duration of the project.

We may also see variations in flow in Lubber Run. These flow increases, decreases or pulses are a normal part of the process, even in dry weather. Please exercise caution and be aware that an unexpected pulse of water may appear.

In response to a follow-up question from the civic association, the County stormwater outreach specialist reported that for the unexpected pulses of water, they would be connected to the timing of the pumping. They will certainly be less than what we would see in high storm flow situations and will not pose a threat to any of the homes or park users.  The flow variations may be obvious to regular observers of the stream, and so the County wanted to be proactive and let nearby residents know.

There is no need to do more than take the normal precautions around streams: watch your step when crossing and use regular stream safety practices like washing your hands after contact. For more information about stream safety in Arlington: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Sustainability-and- Environment/Streams/Stream-Safety"

If you observe pollution in Lubber Run, please report it immediately to 703-558-2222 (the police non-emergency number) so County staff can investigate right away. Stream conditions can change quickly and reporting as soon as you see something greatly increases the chances we can find the source.

Learn more about different types of pollution and how to report here: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Sustainability-and- Environment/Streams/Report-Stream-Pollution

To learn more about the Ballston Pond Project process, please see: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Projects/Project-Types/Environment- Projects/Ballston-Pond-Restoration

Please feel free to reach out with any questions regarding Lubber Run and the Ballston Pond project to:

Lily Whitesell
Stormwater Outreach Specialist
Office of Sustainability and Environmental Management
Arlington County Dept of Environmental Services
lwhitesell@arlingtonva.us
703-228-3042