The Williamsburg neighborhood is served by the Williamsburg Neighborhood Shopping Center, two small commercial strips at the intersection of Sycamore Street and Williamsburg Boulevard. Like other low-density shopping areas built in the 1950's, it was designed to serve the immediate community and blend in with the residential character of the neighborhood. Shopping Area One, composed of 13 businesses, has 47,937 square feet. Area Two, composed of 5 businesses, is 73,942 square feet. Tenants include a barber shop, two beauty salons, two dry cleaners, a dentist, two banks, a drug store, a fabric store, a florist, a convenience store, a martial arts center, a tailor, a print shop, and a music store. Patrons may dine at a full service Chinese restaurant or a sandwich shop.

Both shopping areas were renovated several years ago. Improvements included new awnings, updated signage, brick sidewalks and new landscaping. Williamsburg will support efforts by tenants and property owners to take advantage of the services and support offered by the Arlington County Business Conservation Program and the Small Business Assistance Program to improve the appearance of the shops. Williamsburg will support efforts by tenants and property owners to initiate a tree planting and/or beautification project with the Arlington County Beautification Committee.

While some residents have complained that parking is inadequate at Area One, parking problems appear to be sporadic and are most likely to occur at mid-day. Since there is no practical way to expand parking on the site, there is no way to alleviate this concern.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of survey respondents do not support additional commercial development within the Williamsburg area. The neighborhood survey also reveals a high level of satisfaction with the services and products offered by neighborhood businesses, with the most frequently requested addition a small family restaurant or coffee shop.

Recommendations

48. Support efforts to maintain and improve the appearance of the businesses in the shopping center.

49. Support the installation of trees and/or landscaping around shopping center parking lots.

50. Support the continued efforts by businesses to control and/or eliminate rats and other pests and to manage litter and trash.

51. Screen dumpsters, loading areas and other service elements from view where possible with fencing and/or landscaping.