Columbia Pike Grocery Store

Whereas close proximity to a grocery store is an inherent part of any urban village,

Whereas the permanent closing of the Safeway grocery store on Columbia Pike in Arlington, Virginia is imminent and the redevelopment of the Giant grocery store on Columbia Pike is also imminent,

Whereas the loss of two supermarkets in a dense area of Arlington will inconvenience many individuals to include the poor, elderly, and handicapped who will have no ready way to get groceries, and

Whereas many people moved to this neighborhood due to the close proximity of supermarkets,

The undersigned request that:

1. Giant Food continues to service the Columbia Pike area while their store is undergoing renovations. This may involve a temporary location in the neighborhood, shuttle service, free Peapod food delivery service, or some other option that allows people to buy groceries during the shut down and rebuilding of the current grocery store,

2. Arlington County work with Giant Food to ensure that grocery service is provided during the time the Giant Food is closed

3. Arlington County work to bring a second supermarket chain to Columbia Pike to provide increased capacity for the increased number of residents who will live in a revitalized Columbia Pike, and preserve competition and shopping options that currently exist on Columbia Pike.