The Arlington County Board has set policy determinations for development of the area around the East Falls Church Metro. The final plan is to be adopted within six months with emphasis on neighborhood-oriented businesses including a grocery store, public gathering space, a western entrance to the Metro Station, and better pedestrian and bicycle access. The Board pledges to preserve single-family homes, protect historic sites, and limit building heights to four to six stories where buildings meet streets. There is still concern from the neighboring residents, however, about the feasibility of the Board’s plan to reduce traffic congestion in the area by reducing parking at the Metro Station.
Documentary about Arlington’s "Smart Growth"
Having been born and raised in Arlington, I remember the days before Metro, when Ballston was called Parkington and you drove there to visit The Hecht Co., South Pacific Restaurant, the 7 and 9 Shop, Hahn’s Shoe Store, or Danneman’s Fabrics. Clarendon had a free standing Sears store and a JC Penney.
Arlington’s push to get as many Metro stops as possible, when other suburban communities were afraid Metro would bring urban problems along with it, resulted in what Arlington is today – a model for “Smart Growth” and its pedestrian friendly urban villages helped earn the Washington area the title of “the most walkable major metropolitan area” in the country.
Now, a new documentary details the story of “Arlington’s Smart Growth Journey”. You can view it online here.
