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Groundbreaking for ‘Verde Point’ on Lee Highway

By WTOP Staff

Courtesy photo Verde Point rendering (Bergmann's development) Proposed mixed-use development on the current Bergmann's site Proposed mixed-use development on the current Bergmann's site File photo

A groundbreaking was held Thursday for Verde Point, the new residential and retail development on the former Bergmann’s Dry Cleaning site.

The ceremony was held at the site, at Lee Highway and N. Veitch Street, and featured Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette and representatives from the developer and other companies involved in the $80 million project.

Verde Point, which was approved by the County Board in December 2012, will feature 177 apartments in a 10-story building, 23 townhomes, a 14,000 square foot Mom’s Organic Market and other retail spaces.

Construction is expected to wrap up in the second half of 2015. The full press release about the groundbreaking, after the jump.

McCaffery Interests, Inc., and Bergmann’s Inc, together with their development partners, civic and community leaders and business representatives, today celebrated the official commencement of construction for Verde Pointe, a new mixed-use development located at the corner of Lee Highway and N Veitch St., in Arlington VA. Valued at $80M, the development will feature two buildings consisting of 177 apartments, 23 townhome apartments, a 14,000 SF Mom’s Organic Market and a three level parking garage.

Jay Fisette, Chair of the Arlington Country Board, attended the event and celebrated the development: “Verde Pointe represents a significant rebirth of the Bergmann’s site. This new development further enhances our community and reinforces Arlington as one of the most dynamic counties in the U.S.”

“We are confident that Verde Pointe will appeal to a variety of individuals seeking an urban living that is convenient, environmentally-friendly, amenity rich, and designed with today’s lifestyle in mind,” remarked Daniel McCaffery, Chairman and CEO, McCaffery Interests, Inc.

Upon completion, Verde Pointe will be a marquee development for Arlington’s energetic and active Courthouse neighborhood. The main apartment building features a stunning glass and steel exterior and includes a roof deck with a pool, game room lounge, grills, fitness room, and business center. Other amenities include a concierge service, package delivery area, residential lockers / storage, a dog washing room, and a supplemental laundry area with large capacity washers and dryers.

The second building is home to Mom’s Organic Market and includes 15 apartments located above the store and 23 townhome apartments with private decks. The project also boasts electric car spaces, shared ride spaces and abundant bike storage for residents.

The building is being constructed using green building practices that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout the design, demolition, construction, operation, and long-term maintenance process. Verde Pointe will seek LEED GOLD Certification, one of the highest ratings by the US Green Building Council.

Cardinal Bank and Burke & Herbert Bank are providing financing. Antunovich Associates designed Verde Pointe and Clark Construction is serving as the general contractor. This is the first joint venture between McCaffery Interests and Bergmann’s.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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