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City outlines $2 million Arlington Expressway landscaping plan; Regency Square buyer must demolish under city agreement
Summary
A presenter described a $2 million commitment to redesign the Arlington Expressway "first mile," and council staff said a buyer of Regency Square is expected to demolish the structure under a city agreement that includes $2 million in penalties and fines.
Steve Madchen, a presenter for the Arlington redevelopment group, briefed attendees on a conceptual redesign of the Arlington Expressway “first mile” and said the project is being coordinated with Public Works and the city's transportation group. He said the effort is looking at “about $2,000,000 commitment to this area for improved, very much enhanced landscaping.” Madchen said SDOT (city transportation) will return to the group with plans and that the committee intends to pay for landscaping improvements.
Madchen also described a municipal grant program with a looming application deadline; he said applications for fencing, signage, landscaping reimbursements and compliance related to the municipal COVID grant program were to be accepted beginning Monday, April 28. He noted the area had undergone outreach, including tours and panel discussions, as part of a five-year effort tied to a zoning overlay that changed earlier.
Council staff provided an update on Regency Square, saying that the property has been sold and that the new owner “has to demolish the building within 2 years” per the agreement with the city because of approximately $2,000,000 in penalties and fines attached to the property. Staff said the buyer indicated it may be about a year before visible activity begins and that demolition, not renovation, is the expected next step under the sale terms.
Residents asked about other local projects: a civil site plan review filed Nov. 18, 2024, was cited in response to concerns about a proposed subdivision that would create 55 additional single-family lots; staff said the property met development requirements and could proceed "by right" without council rezoning. Staff also mentioned recent work opening Lone Star Road through to Harlem Wood and future signalization work already in progress.
Ending: Officials said the Expressway redesign, Regency Square demolition schedule and subdivision filings are in early implementation stages; they encouraged residents to monitor planning department notices for formal filings and permit review schedules.
