Presentation at 4MRV Working Group Jeffrey Zeeman Arlington Commission for the Arts
Creation of official Arts District along several full blocks of South Four Mile Run Drive • Maintain / enhance some compatible existing uses: Inner Ear Studio, 3700 building, brewery, AFAC. DMV music history venue adjoining studio? • Convert old Signature Theater building and warehouse on Oakland Street to arts spaces with distinct character, including second, larger black box theater and gallery spaces (or tear down/rebuild) • Potential acquisition, in long-term, of big warehouse space adjacent to Jennie Dean and conversion to artist live/work space? Or new construction of artist live-work spaces elsewhere in area • Combination of County acquisitions and developer incentives • Additional restaurant/bar/cafe venues to complement arts venues
Preserve and enhance the 3700 building for exclusive use by Arlington arts organizations • Potentially move parks offices in building to another site to create more permanent space for arts organizations and arts frontage on S. Four Mile Run Dr. • Possible expansion of building to encompass full second floor • Improved signage and ingress/egress to building – transform exterior into an obvious arts space • Renovation / expansion of Theater on the Run • Public art in, on, and around building • Satisfy the need for permanent, stable, dedicated office, rehearsal and performance space for Arlington arts organizations
Concentrate public art in 4MRV area • County Public Art Master Plan identified 4MRV as a “high priority” for public art projects. See p. 56. • Establish a mural district (e.g., massive mural on storage building overlooking Jennie Dean, encourage murals on other light-industrial facades) • Integrate public art within “passive” areas of Jennie Dean • Add public art along the river / path adjacent to the stream, referencing / integrating natural environment • Public art accessible for AFAC and dog park users • Consider a signature, very prominent "Arlington" (or 4MRV-themed) welcome sign / sculptural element?
Improved infrastructure – but maintain light industrial feel of area • Parking! -- but be creative in designing parking structure • Enhanced public transit (including shuttle service from metros?) • Clear, welcoming, aesthetically-inventive signage and street furniture • Install sidewalks and lighting to make the area walkable • Bike racks -- also artist designed – and bike paths • County facade / signage grants for businesses that remain? • Better visual and physical links to existing Shirlington arts facilities – prominent and readily-visible bridge(s) over the stream and appealing pedestrian pathways linking to bridge on both sides of stream
Additional thoughts • Flexible outdoor amphitheater space for musical performances and/or screen-on-the-green in Jennie Dean or elsewhere • Streetscape and potentially some green space that is readily convertible for outdoor arts festivals • ABC Distributors Lumber Center building – potential artist gallery / work space for future expansion of district and link to Nauck? • 24-7 activation of this part of Four Mile Run via a few residential buildings, ideally artist live-work space or other artist-friendly housing, plus commercial venues that are open into the evening
Benefits • Meets County need for expanded and enhanced arts venues and practice/office spaces, which has become critical following closure of Artisphere • Only area of Arlington with possibility for creating an arts district with critical mass needed to succeed – builds on existing prominent arts facilities in area (Signature Theater, movie theater, 3700 building, etc.) • Industrial character of area is uniquely suited for arts conversion. No other section of Arlington features this type of intrinsically artist-friendly physical environment, or will allow for wildly creative construction and public art • Transform this area of Arlington into a true destination rather than feeling like an afterthought – proximity to highway is a major plus • Complements and enhances existing uses (Jennie Dean, dog park, AFAC, brewery) – a synergistic relationship with the rest of the valley
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