The Belle View Condominium Community has garnered first place in the annual competition for Best Community of the Year according to the Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute (WMCAA). Additionally, the community was named Green Association of the Year, a new award of the WMCAA.
The willingness of hard-working, creative, innovative residents to participate in committees and serve on the board, as well as the current excellent management, played an important role in Belle View being awarded these top honors.
Belle View was awarded the 2009 Community of the Year Award in part due to the "green-friendly" environment that pervades the entire community, as well as the openness of the budget process, the Ad-Hoc Emergency Preparedness Committee’s emergency procedure manual, strength of the Covenants Committee’s procedures for resolving disputes, welcome package for new residents, annual reserve review, and the community’s communication tools including its newsletter and Web site were also criteria that were highly rated.
Additional criteria cited include community activities such as the Spring and Fall Yard Sales, the Halloween Party, Movie Night at the Pool, the Tree Lighting Party, and the Doggie Dip. The Neighborhood Watch Committee’s work was also highlighted for developing close ties with the local police and creating an environment in which neighbors look out for neighbors.
The Green Association of the Year award was based on several criteria including the changes made in roof colors for replacement roofs; recycling program; sediment control and improved drainage; call for plant diversity and native plants; replacement of PVC piping where necessary; the addition of CFA lights in basements, hallways, and crawl spaces; and the multi-year asbestos removal program.
These awards reflect the pride, energy, vitality, and love of community long-term and new residents have for Belle View. "We’re really a community here. We work together, help each other out and we informally take turns being on the board and serving on committees. We know we each have to take our turn at the helm to keep the ship going in the right direction. We’ve done that. And it works," said Patrick Strange, a 30-year resident.
New residents are just as enthusiastic and confident. "We bought here because of the great location. Belle View is close to everything — the Metro, Reagan National Airport, running and jogging trails — and it’s beautiful with the mature trees and large courtyards. I’ve been here nine months and I’m sure I made the right decision," said Rebecca Myers.
The Belle View Condo Community rests on 54 acres of mature trees and two tidal creeks connected to the Potomac River located at Ft. Hunt Road, the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and Belle View Boulevard, just 1 mile south of Old Town Alexandria. The 980 dwellings include 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units. Converted to condos in the 1980s, the community — almost ready to celebrate its 30th year — now is a vital, energetic complex of diversity composed of early renters (now long term condo owners); young and middle-aged professionals, and both singles and couples. Belle View’s diverse population also includes several residents in their 80s and 90s, and at least one case of an adult resident who lived in the community as a child.