Alexandria, VA – The Mt. Vernon Avenue Facade Improvement Grant Program is an initiative funded and administered by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Inc. (AEDP) in collaboration with the City of Alexandria's Planning & Zoning Department. The Program is designed to provide an opportunity for business and commercial property owners to improve the appearance of buildings on or within 1,000 feet of Mt. Vernon Avenue, to ensure Potomac West continues to be an attractive location for customers, businesses, and residents.

The program builds on the momentum generated by the work of the City Planning & Zoning staff, neighborhood residents, and business owners throughout the Mt. Vernon Avenue commercial corridor, but particularly within Arlandria, where constituents have been meeting regularly to work toward the creation of an economically viable, pedestrian friendly, well-maintained, and affordable neighborhood.

The Upper Potomac West Task Force was assembled to produce a vision for the neighborhood, and a comprehensive plan was debuted in 2001. Per the plan's recommendations, the City hired a consultant last year to analyze the economic conditions, determine the market potentials of the neighborhood, and begin to draft a marketing plan. In addition, the Datatel building, at 3700 Mt. Vernon Avenue, was demolished to create additional parking, and allow the consolidation of several under-utilized tracts of land. Several additional short-term improvement projects have been recommended by City staff, such as increasing the number of parking spaces along Mt. Vernon Avenue, and improving pedestrian walkways.

According to Paula R.W. Riley, Executive Director of AEDP, "Our matching facade improvement grants of $1,500 will complement efforts already underway in the Mt. Vernon commercial corridor, and go a long way toward helping the business owners improve the appearance of their businesses."

The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Inc. is a public/private partnership that plans, directs, manages and implements efforts to attract, expand, and retain business operations in the City of Alexandria. AEDP has worked since 1981 as a facilitator to establish Alexandria as a nationally recognized community and business center. AEDP is located at 1729 King St, Suite 410, Alexandria, VA 22314. AEDP can be contacted at 703.739.3820, or alexecon@erols.com.

For Immediate Release- 1/23/03

Contact: Marc Brambrut,
703-739-3820 xt. 12

Back to Press Releases