By now we all know about the challenges Maryland faces in redeveloping its land around Metro stations. But those interviewed by The Washington Examiner also pointed out that the redevelopment of Tysons Corner in Virginia poses similar challenges.
In short, Tysons Corner and Rockville Pike are both faced with transforming loud, unpedestrian-friendly areas where development was driven (no pun intended) by auto traffic into more urban communities where — gasp! — residents may not even need a car.
But some say Tysons may have an easier time of it becuase planners there do have the advantage of lobbying for a cluster of Metro stops in the area (four in a roughly three-mile stretch). Meanwhile, Maryland’s suburban stations are about three miles apart in some stretches.
Much like Arlington did in the 1980s, Tysons has its chance to create a vibrant commercial corridor that attracts new residents not reliant on cars. But some say Rockville Pike’s redevelopment could achieve a similar effect if alternate transportation were available to connect the dots.
Jim Snyder, an urban planning consultant who helped shape Arlington’s Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, said installing light rail along the pike and having retail accessible from the sidewalk ‚ instead of from across a massive parking lot — could give it the bustling effect that Clarendon Boulevard has today.
“It’s going to take more time and more infrastructre to … make Rockville Pike not this ugly street but turning it into a boulevard,” Snyder said. “Over time I think it’ll be a great street.”
