Celebrating Longtime Neighbors Lou & Monika Brenner

Former MCA President Lou Brenner and his wife Monika Brenner, a native of Mantua, recently moved out of the neighborhood, so MCA reached out to thank them for their service and ask for any parting words of advice they have for the community that was their home for decades.

Lou was president of MCA from 2004-2008, vice president from 2000-2004, and Chair of the Transportation Committee from 1998-2000, while Monika produced the printed Mantua Directory for many years. Both were involved in MCA during a consequential time for Mantua, as the neighborhood provided oversight of the nearby Tank Farm cleanup, and the MCA helped build a sidewalk on Lido Place.

We spoke with Lou this month to ask about his experience with MCA, sidewalks, and his advice for families just moving to the neighborhood.

At the time of Lou’s service, transportation projects were front and center. Neighbors were concerned about the sheer amount of cut-through traffic that traveled on Prince William and Barkley to avoid backups on Prosperity. “We did push hard for a sidewalk,” said Lou, “At the time…it was 700-800 cars an hour from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Lido, and it was almost entirely cut-through traffic. Lido was designed as the lowest level road, whatever was above dirt, and it wasn’t designed for kids to walk to school.”

Lou worked closely with VDOT to identify how they could help. “What they called it was the VDOT 2020 plan, and it was 20 years out. It wasn’t just busing and rapid transit, it was also hot lanes on the beltway. That was intended to relieve some of the north-south traffic on Pickett and Prosperity.”

In a case of “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” the MCA also looked into creative traffic calming opportunities, but were rebuffed by VDOT’s limited range of options. “We were trying to avoid speedhumps. We were hoping for more of the things that they have in Vienna, like center line narrowing. We were pulling studies from Amsterdam and from all over the place to get something other than speed humps. We did get one center island on Horner near Lido.”

When it came time to push for sidewalk development, Lou relied heavily on local elected officials. “Linda Smyth and Gerry Connolly took up the mantle on the issue. It wasn’t a lot of money, something like $50 to $70,000. Some of the neighbors were opposed. They [Fairfax County] ended up doing some eminent domain to get the right of way for the sidewalk.”

Any advice for someone interested in sidewalks? “Work with the Supervisor assigned to Mantua and then try to get some purchase with the Fairfax Board [of Supervisors]. They used to call it spot improvement money. The supervisors, like Gerry or Kate Hanley, have been wily in the past. They can get something done if they want to. You have to make the case and make them feel accountable for getting it done.”

What advice do you have for people hoping to make the most of Mantua? “We got involved. My wife was the room parent at Mantua Elementary for both of our boys their whole time. Get involved with the elementary school. I used to do Mantua Basketball. There are plenty of ways to get involved, and the MCA has opportunities.”

The MCA is grateful for Lou and Monika’s years of service.