Public commentary voiced on Saturday, July 16, about the county’s plan to put a temporary Fire Station 10 on the Wilson School/HB Woodlawn playing fields reflected common themes heard around North Arlington last week. Parents with school-aged children, local residents, and one teenager, asked the County Board to keep green space a priority in Rosslyn, and expressed frustration with the lack of consultation with the community and “continued lack of transparency.”

Residents cited the vacancy rate for office space at 20 percent, asking why the deal allowed developers to build more office space. Residents told the board 884 new families had moved into the surrounding community, and two apartment towers were planned: there needed to be time to review how the county would keep pace with more people in terms of schools, services, and parking.

Candidate for County Board Audrey Clement cited the disruptions the temporary fire station would create in the area. She called the plan another lost opportunity that might save taxpayers $5 million but didn’t look far enough out.

Alexandra Bocian, president of the John Langston Civic Association, also spoke to the board about Fire Station 8, applauding the board’s decision to engage the public in more open and collaborative decision-making, but expressing concern that the county manager and possibly the board appeared poised to “toss aside” the outcome of that public process. She urged the County Board members to honor citizen input from the task force, and “the Arlington way” — citizen volunteers and engagement. Bocian spoke on Saturday because the board’s vote on the issue will take place during a recess session which will not allow for public participation.