07.99

Features

Back by Popular Demand --- the Arlington Real Estate Tour . . .
Our highly regarded Real Estate Tour will be repeated this fall, on Friday, October 1, 1999. If you have an Arlington property to showcase, you will not want to miss this unique opportunity. Reserve your space today. Limited advertising space is available. If you are seeking state-of-the art office space in one of the area's premiere communities, register for a spot on our tour today. Our tour last year was a sell out. For more details, go to www.smartplace.org/bus_tour/bustour.html.

Conference center study enters phase II . . .
Arlington has authorized the conference center consultant, CSL of Minneapolis, MN. to proceed with the next phase of their feasibility study. In Phase I, CSL found that there is sufficient demand for meeting space among technology firms, associations, and government organizations to support a conference center with exhibition space. Respondents to a survey confirmed that Arlington is ideally located to capture meetings business in the Washington region. The next phase of the study will determine the optimal size and configuration of the proposed facility and provide a preliminary financial analysis. For more information contact Gene Davis.

Retail market assessment released . . .
The Office of Development has released a Retail Market Assessment of Arlington County Metro Station Areas and Commercial Districts prepared by Bay Area Economics. This study provides an overview of national retail trends, an analysis of the County's purchasing power and sales trends, and identification of key issues facing further retail development in the key study areas. Arlington's success at retail development was recently highlighted in a Washington Post article contrasting Ballston's success with some less successful DC project (Business Section, June 21,1999). For more information contact Janice Landfair.

Still more data! . . .
The Office of Development has also released Potential Development Sites, a comprehensive listing of development sites that have not yet been consolidated or site planned. These sites represent future development opportunities for developers or businesses. Listings include ownership and assessment details, as well as an area map, for each property. For more information contact Betts Abel.

EDC reviews Competitiveness Committee recommendations. . .
A series of recommendations of tax policies to increase the competitive position of Arlington within the Washington region will be forwarded to the Economic Development Commission (EDC) for consideration at their July 13, 1999 meeting. From rehabilitation tax credits to technology zones, the proposals provide a "toolbox" for building the new digital economy in Arlington. For more information contact Terry Holzheimer.

Ballston Common Mall, IMSI, Kajax Engineering, and US Airways are ABBIES . . .
Each year, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Arlington Economic Development Commission hold a joint awards program called the ABBIES Arlington's Best Business Awards. The award is designed to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Arlington businesses. The aforementioned businesses were awarded their ABBIES at the Awards Program Friday June 18, 1999. "The ABBIES awards program is an important part of Arlington County's commitment to business. It allows us to recognize business' investment and involvement in Arlington and thank them for their contributions to our community," said Paul Ferguson, Arlington County Board Chair. To be added to the mailing list for next year's nominations and awards mailings send an email to with "ABBIES mailing list" in the subject line.

Regal Cinemas open in Ballston . . .
Ballston is hot! In the last decade, Ballston has seen an exciting revitalization, led by the County Board's vision to create an urban village where people want to work, live and play. And now those who work, live and play in Ballston have another entertainment option - the movies! Forest City Development and Regal Cinemas celebrated the grand opening of the 10-screen, stadium-style theater in June. Now after you enjoy dinner at one of Ballston's fine restaurants, you can finish the evening with a first-class movie. To search for a list of restaurants nearby, go to www2.webdatasolutions.com/arlington/resform.asp. Stay tuned for more announcements as Ballston Common Mall reels in cool new entertainment and shopping options.

Global Technologies Group, Inc. (GTGI), is going places . . .
Established in 1991 by a native Arlingtonian, George Allen, this small business is a prime example of the dynamic growth that is taking place in the information technology industry in Arlington. Due to his previous experience with development and sales of data encryption and CD-recordable products, Allen successfully positioned GTGI as a provider of cutting-edge security and privacy products for the Internet. GTGI also manufactures a suite of information security products for corporate and government use. Since moving to new corporate offices in Arlington in October 1998, GTGI has experienced significant growth in both staff size and sales. An increase in revenues of at least 30% is projected for 1999.

ISBC launches from Arlington . . .
The International Space Business Council (ISBC) has joined Arlington's expanding base of aerospace companies and organizations. This new organization, formed in January 1999, focuses on the business aspects of the global space industry. The membership base is targeted at suppliers, financiers, law firms, users and providers of satellite services, as well as space and ground hardware manufacturers. Benefits offered include direct marketing assistance, referrals to potential clients, product promotion, access to market statistics and research, and promotion of the industry and its opportunities. Take a look. Their web site is www.spacebusiness.com.

One of Arlington's smart people takes Y2K lead . . .
Harris Miller, President of the Arlington-based Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), was featured on the cover of the June issue of Association Management Magazine, the magazine of the American Association of Association Executives and in an article on Associations and Y2K. The article noted that "Recognizing the importance of Y2K early on, Harris Miller positioned the Information Technology Association of America as the Y2K association," and helped launch the International Y2K Coordinating Center to work closely with both government and private-sector concerns in addressing the issue.

 

Development News

Smart Spaces

Arlington, VA, Projects Under Construction, June 1999

Project	Sub-Market	Hotel Rooms	Office Sq. Feet	Retail Sq. Feet	Residential Units
Stafford Place II	Ballston		175,000	10,000
Ballston Tower	Ballston			60,000
Harris Teeter	Ballston			50,000
One Virginia Square	Virginia Square		121,000
Virginia Square Condos	Virginia Square				181
Lexington Park	Virginia Square				380
Courthouse Tower	Courthouse		248,000
Courthouse Triangle	Courthouse				14
Courthouse Place	Courthouse				564
Colonial Place III	Courthouse		225,000
Wilson Boulevard Apartments	Courthouse				221
Rosslyn Marriott Residence Inn	Rosslyn	176
Columbia Center II	Crystal City				320
Total		176	769,000	120,000	1,680
Source: Arlington Department of Economic Development

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