The Four Mile Run Agency Coordinating Group (ACG) created design guidelines to coordinate and preserve the master plan vision for the corridor. Restoration of the corridor will take many years, with Alexandria, Arlington, the US Army Corps of Engineers, residents, and private landowners all playing roles in its transformation. A comprehensive set of design guidelines will ensure consistent materials and styles throughout the restoration area while complementing design and style elements of adjacent neighborhoods. The guidelines will not act as proscriptions to land owners; but provide a framework of guidance for private and public spaces. For a more detailed description of this project, see the Design Guidelines RFP.

The City of Alexandria and Arlington County have funded a contract with Rhodeside & Harwell, Incorporated (RHI) to support the development the corridor's design guidelines document. The Joint Task Force (JTF) and ACG worked with RHI when developing the Four Mile Run Restoration Master Plan. While the jurisdictions and NVRC will lead the project and facilitate the public process, RHI will provide design expertise and draft the guidance document. The project team will identify key issues raised by staff through meetings and stakeholders principally through the JTF throughout the document development process. The City Council and County Board have final approval of the document before it is adopted into the comprehensive plan. The ACG plans to finalize the guidelines within ten months of the project’s start date. The following links provide access to two exemplary urban waterfront design guidelines, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon.

Shirlington Design Book (PDF: 110M) (Please note the Shirlington Design Book is an extra-large file. Download using a broadband connection only.)

Potomac Yard Urban Design Guidelines

The JTF plays a key role in the design guidelines process; JTF member Neal Sigmon serves on the project team.  In addition, the JTF will host public stakeholder meetings to provide a forum for further public input and to ensure public support.