Board approves Alexen site plan at 2015 Street North, adds affordable housing options and pedestrian link

The Arlington County Board voted 5‑0 on June 13 to adopt a site plan amendment and to vacate a public street and utility easement to allow redevelopment of 2015 (Alexen) Street North into a 19‑story, 394‑unit residential building.

Staff described the project as a conversion of an underused 10‑story office building into dense, transit‑oriented housing close to the Courthouse Metro. The plan includes a new roughly 2,700‑square‑foot midblock pedestrian connection, consolidation of loading and parking access on Taft Street, a stepped building massing to reduce impacts along side streets, and measures to preserve a long‑range view corridor toward the National Mall.

Matt Feifer (CPHD) said the applicant requested modest height and density increases permitted under zoning provisions, and that staff and the National Capital Planning Commission found minimal impacts to the Mall viewshed. To earn bonus density the developer will either place nine committed affordable units on site or contribute $5 million to the Affordable Housing Investment Fund; the ordinance also requires base‑level affordability compliance through the code’s formula option (cash or on‑site units per the zoning formula).

The Planning Commission and housing commission recommended approval. Environmental reviewers and public speakers praised the project’s native planting palette, pollinator species and public‑space improvements. The Climate Change, Energy & Environment Commission scored the proposal 55/100, noting it met minimum standards while identifying missed opportunities — for example, broader electrification of water heating, more EV‑ready parking and larger family‑sized units.

Neighboring Odyssey Condominium representatives raised concerns about pickup/drop‑off management, on‑street parking and construction impacts; the applicant said it consolidated vehicular access on Taft Street, added three designated pickup/drop‑off spaces, removed a curb cut on 15th Street, and will coordinate construction‑period protections. Board members asked staff and the applicant to coordinate construction‑period pedestrian safety and curbside management.

The board adopted the site‑plan ordinance and the easement vacation and authorized the real estate bureau chief to execute deeds and documents necessary to implement the action. The approvals include conditions on affordable housing, a transportation demand management program, green‑building incentives and the public‑access easement for the midblock connection.