In 2017, Mount Olivet worked with church consultant, Paul Nixon, to create a strategic plan.
One of the recommendations of that plan was to develop the church's parking lot property in a way that would provide space for expanding the ministry and mission of Mount Olivet and, also fill many of the needs of our community. For the past few years, a task force has been meeting to explore this recommendation.
The task force interviewed and chose an architect, Michael Foster, with experience developing projects like this in our area. Michael Foster has met with the task force, Arlington County and leaders in the community to assess potential uses for the property.
Michael and his team have developed a conceptual plan for a multi-use project that expands Mount Olivet space, supports many of the needs of our community, retains parking for Mount Olivet and is financially viable without requiring a capital campaign on the part of Mount Olivet.
About the Architect, MTFA
To help guide Mount Olivet through this initial visioning process for developing the parking lot, we have contracted the services of MTFA Architecture. MTFA’s legacy is rooted in cultural preservation and sustainable design. They embrace a building’s history and environmental context while reconciling the needs of our changing world through resilient innovation and sculptural expression. MTFA’s broad experience across religious, education, commercial, government and preservation will help guide Mount Olivet on our journey to answer - “What is Mount Olivet NOT doing that God is calling us to do?”
New Survey | January 2024
Please take a couple of minutes to complete the Mount Olivet Parking Survey. All responses will be anonymous. Last year, the Parking Lot workgroup sponsored a series of listening sessions with the Mount Olivet community regarding potential future uses of the parking lot.
The sessions were valuable in understanding the Mount Olivet community’s issues and concerns with any future development of the parking lot.
A repeated issue raised was the impact such future development may have on the current parking at Mount Olivet for worship services and other activities held in the church.
The Parking Lot workgroup continues to explore options for development on our current parking lot. As part of its consideration, the workgroup is looking at how best to balance providing onsite parking against other factors that are/will be part of any potential long-term development of the lot. With this in mind, the Parking Lot workgroup is sponsoring a short survey to understand how important it is to the Mount Olivet community to have ample and available parking space when you attend or visit the church and/or your willingness/ability to consider alternatives to the current parking lot capacity (currently, there are 152 surface parking spaces). As you complete this short survey, the Parking lot workgroup asks you to consider the following factors of any potential future development and possible parking impacts:
🌟 Current estimates of costs for underground parking in Arlington range from $50-60,000 per underground parking space;
🌟 While the cost to provide each parking space dedicated for Mount Olivet use would be funded by revenue from a Ground Lease, if it is not used for a parking space that revenue could otherwise be used to support the missions and ministries of Mount Olivet;
🌟 Fifty two Mount Olivet members currently live within 1/2 mile walking distance to the church - approximately a 10 minute walk;
🌟 Within 1/4 mile walking distance of Mount Olivet there are more than 600 street parking spaces that are available on Sundays and after 5:00 pm on weekdays, when many of the spaces are exempt from Zone Parking restrictions;
🌟 Satellite parking areas with contracted shuttle service can be provided at a substantial savings over the $50-60K parking space cost.
The Parking Lot workgroup appreciates your time and feedback!
