It looks like there is going to be a showdown between the Arlington Planning Commission and county staff over a proposal to close public access to an observatory deck at Central Place Tower in Rosslyn.
Planning Commission members on July 11 voted to reject the plan, which would have the property owner (CoStar) pay the county government nearly $14 million in return for county leaders’ eliminating public access to the 8,900-square-foot deck, which sits more than 30 stories above ground and offers panoramic views spanning 360 degrees.
That public access was guaranteed as part of a development deal that allowed construction of the Central Place complex. CoStar was not part of that deal, having purchased the property earlier this year.
County staff has recommended approval of CoStar’s request, saying the funding will be used for improvements to Gateway Park. But both Planning Commission members and members of the public who spoke at the July 11 public hearing said it was a raw deal for the community.
County Board members will hold their own public hearing July 22. They have three options: approve the proposal, reject it or defer action.
Leadership of the North Rosslyn Civic Association said its members have delivered “much pushback” on the proposal. The association suggested a middle course – allowing that organization to have access to meeting space at any floor 20 stories or higher, four times a year, to host events.
“Nonprofits have few resources, and meeting space is at a premium,” North Rosslyn Civic Association president Terri Prell and vice president Joseph Ventrone wrote in a letter to County Board members. “We believe this is a reasonable request and not dissimilar to what Amazon has provided in its new headquarters.”