Community needs throughout Alexandria including housing, recreation facilities, libraries and health centers are increasing. Available land within land-locked Alexandria City is at a premium and the City has deemed it essential that sites owned by the City and ACPS are maximized to deliver the range of services our community will need in the future.

Colocation is the term used when publicly owned sites are shared to provide multiple services. The goal is to maximize and deliver a range of services to the community.

ACPS has been asked by the City to explore colocation options for City/School facilities on all school sites undergoing modernization. However, there are many options for colocation. Colocation can include:

• Park and recreation services
• Workforce, senior and affordable housing
• Public library services
• Public health clinics and services

On December 16, 2019, the City published a statement around the colocation of services (PDF). This said:

“To the extent feasible, spaces within school facilities will be designed, programmed and deployed in a manner that allows for utilization by multiple user groups – schools and the broader community. ACPS programming and capacity needs are the priority on school sites and will not be reduced to fit other uses,” the city wrote in a statement on colocation.”

In 2019, the City and ACPS began work on a Joint Facilities Master Plan. This process will be complete in 2021.

Have questions about the colocation of services? Read our Frequently Asked Questions.

Upcoming Meetings Relating to the Colocation of Services 

January 28, 2020:

Meeting at George Mason Elementary School to discuss colocation of City services.

January 29, 2020:

Meeting at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology to discuss colocation of City services.

February 3, 2020:

Meeting co-hosted by the City and ACPS at the Douglas MacArthur Elementary School to discuss colocation of services at the new school site.

February 10, 2020: North Ridge Civic Association presentation

February 13, 2020: Joint Facilities Master Plan open house at T.C. Williams High School

Join the City and ACPS in the Cafeteria at T.C. Williams as they begin the development of a comprehensive strategic vision and implementation process that integrates public facilities and services.

Past Meetings and Conversations Relating to the Colocation of Services 

January 27, 2020: Joint City Schools Sub-Committee Meeting Discussion on the Colocation of Services

The School Board and City Council’s subcommittee met Monday and discussed the possible colocation of City services on school sites in line for modernization. The discussion centered on providing affordable/attainable/workforce housing on these sites, in addition to recreation centers, health and wellness clinics and preschool classrooms. No joint resolution on a way forward was agreed, however, plans for a deeper discussion about housing and school sites have been set for March 4, 2020 at 7p.m. at ACPS Central Office, 1340 Braddock Place, Alexandria 22314.

When minutes are available they will be posted here.

January 23, 2020: Presentation to the School Board of the George Mason and Cora Kelly Modernization Feasibility Studies, and concepts for Douglas MacArthur at 7 p.m. at ACPS Central Office.

• View the memo on the George Mason and Cora Kelly Feasibility Studies (PDF)
• View the presentation on the George Mason and Cora Kelly Feasibility Studies (PDF)
• View the memo on the design concepts for Douglas MacArthur (PDF)
• View the presentation on the design concepts for Douglas MacArthur (PDF)

January 21, 2020: Letter sent to the George Mason Elementary School Community

January 17, 2020: Draft Feasibility Study for New School Buildings at George Mason Elementary School and Cora Kelly School For Math, Science and Technology

See the reports and documents.

January 15, 2019: MacArthur Elementary School New Building Community Meeting
View the presentation from DLR architects (PDF) that presents possible options for the colocation of services within the new building. 

January 11, 2020: Superintendent's presentation at Alexandria's Housing Forum
View Dr. Hutchings’ presentation “Creating Opportunities for Housing through Partnerships & Innovation” (PDF)

December 18, 2019: MacArthur Elementary School New Building Community Meeting
City of Alexandria Urban Planner Katherine Carraway presented on the concept of colocation.
Watch the presentation.

December 16, 2019: City Letter on Colocation
The City shared with ACPS a letter outlining their colocation goals.
Read the colocation letter (PDF). 

December 16, 2019: MacArthur Modernization Advisory Group Meeting
Karl Moritz presented on the concept of colocation.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019: ACPS and Alexandria City Colocation Meeting
View the presentation (PDF).

October 23, 2019: Joint Work Session between ACPS/School Board and City Council/Officials
Watch the presentation. Colocation is discussed between 28 minutes and 61 minutes.

Resources

Local Housing Solutions: Use of Public Land for Affordable Housing

https://www.localhousingsolutions.org/act/housing-policy-library/use-of-publicly-owned-property-for-affordable-housing-overview/use-of-publicly-owned-property-for-affordable-housing/

Leveraging Public Land for Affordable Housing in Northern Virginia: A Primer

https://nvaha.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/NVAHA_1404_PubLandRPT_WebFinal.pdf

National Association of Realtors Article on how different cities, including Arlington are dealing with an affordability crisis through colocation.

https://www.nar.realtor/articles/vacant-land-or-affordable-housing

Montgomery County Colocation Program

https://montgomeryplanning.org/tools/research/special-studies/colocation-of-public-facilities/

• White Paper (PDF)
• Final Report (PDF)