Board approves 19‑story Alexan Courthouse redevelopment at 2000 15th St. N.; 394 units, density and parking modifications cleared

The Arlington County Board on June 13, 2026, voted to approve SPLA25‑00025 (SP #173) to permit redevelopment of 2000 15th St. N. into a mixed‑use project that may include a 19‑story multifamily building with up to 394 dwelling units. The approval included requested zoning modifications for additional density (up to 8.2 FAR including bonuses for sustainability and affordable housing), reductions in the parking ratio, density exclusions, and other adjustments necessary to implement the developer’s plans (SEG 865–889).

The County’s action followed a Planning Commission recommendation and a staff report; the County Board adopted the site plan ordinance and numerous conditions governing phasing, civil engineering, stormwater and sanitary work, a structure‑free zone under sidewalks, undergrounding of aerial utilities, tree protection and replacement rules, photographic documentation requirements, and a series of sustainable‑building commitments. The site plan ties LEED Gold and ENERGY STAR goals to financial guarantees: the developer agreed to bonds/letters of credit tied to achieving LEED Gold and ENERGY STAR certification thresholds and provided auditing/verification steps and potential forfeiture provisions if certification targets are not met (see site plan condition text).

Affordable housing commitments for the project were also set in condition language: the developer must either make a monetary contribution or provide on‑site Committed Affordable Housing (CAF) units meeting specified unit counts and income limits (for the additional density component, a $5,000,000 payment option is specified as an alternative). The approval also requires grant of a public use and access easement for a roughly 2,781‑square‑foot public plaza area on the site, and the developer is required to construct and maintain that plaza and associated streetscape and lighting improvements prior to defined certificates of occupancy. The motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Vice‑Chair Maureen Coffey, seconded by Member Julius D. “JD” Spain, Sr., and carried 5‑0.