Columbia Pike streetcar line: key to revitalization of Bailey’s Crossroads
The Columbia Pike streetcar line edged a little closer to
reality following the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ (BOS) endorsement of
the project. The BOS voted 6 to 2 July 31 to approve a streetcar line
as the locally preferred option for transit along the Columbia Pike corridor.
reality following the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ (BOS) endorsement of
the project. The BOS voted 6 to 2 July 31 to approve a streetcar line
as the locally preferred option for transit along the Columbia Pike corridor.
The “no” votes were cast by supervisors Michael Frey (Sully)
and Pat Herrity (Springfield). Linda Smyth (Providence) abstained.
and Pat Herrity (Springfield). Linda Smyth (Providence) abstained.
The Arlington County Board approved the streetcar option
July 23. The two counties will now submit a joint application for funding to
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
July 23. The two counties will now submit a joint application for funding to
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The 4.9-mile Columbia Pike streetcar line would extend along
Columbia Pike from Pentagon City in Arlington to S. Jefferson Street in Bailey’s
Crossroads, ending on Route 7 across from the Skyline Center. There would be
three stops in Fairfax County—at Goodwin House, a senior housing complex in
Bailey’s Crossroads, Jefferson Street, and Skyline.
Columbia Pike from Pentagon City in Arlington to S. Jefferson Street in Bailey’s
Crossroads, ending on Route 7 across from the Skyline Center. There would be
three stops in Fairfax County—at Goodwin House, a senior housing complex in
Bailey’s Crossroads, Jefferson Street, and Skyline.
According to a statement from the BOS, the streetcar line
would be “key to redeveloping Bailey’s Crossroads into a walkable, mixed-use,
urban center.”
would be “key to redeveloping Bailey’s Crossroads into a walkable, mixed-use,
urban center.”
Under the county’s redevelopment plan, Bailey’s Crossroads could
grow to almost 9,000 housing units and up to 8.9 million square feet of office,
retail, and other non-residential space. Regional forecasts project a 21
percent growth in population and 23 percent increase in jobs along the Columbia
Pike corridor.
“The streetcar will relieve congestion and present economic
development opportunities for the Skyline area and serve a population with the
demonstrated support and need for transit,” BOS Chairman Sharon Bulova said.
“Light rail has the potential to become an important part of the transportation
network as we look to add new options and expand service in Fairfax County.”
development opportunities for the Skyline area and serve a population with the
demonstrated support and need for transit,” BOS Chairman Sharon Bulova said.
“Light rail has the potential to become an important part of the transportation
network as we look to add new options and expand service in Fairfax County.”
Mason Supervisor Penny Gross, a longtime advocate for the
Columbia Pike streetcar line, hopes it could eventually extend to other points
in Fairfax County. “We need to get
it to Skyline, prove its viability, and then expand it,” Gross told the
Washington Post. “This has a lot of potential.”
Columbia Pike streetcar line, hopes it could eventually extend to other points
in Fairfax County. “We need to get
it to Skyline, prove its viability, and then expand it,” Gross told the
Washington Post. “This has a lot of potential.”
A joint study by Fairfax and Arlington counties projects a 4
to 10 percent increase in property values within a quarter mile of the
streetcar line. This amounts to a $126 million to $315 million spike in values
along the corridor.
to 10 percent increase in property values within a quarter mile of the
streetcar line. This amounts to a $126 million to $315 million spike in values
along the corridor.
The study also estimates the streetcar could result in 10 percent
net new development along the corridor. Over 30 years, this added development
would generate $82 million in new revenue from sales taxes, business licenses,
and other fees. This increased development would produce $156 million in
property tax revenues over the same period.
net new development along the corridor. Over 30 years, this added development
would generate $82 million in new revenue from sales taxes, business licenses,
and other fees. This increased development would produce $156 million in
property tax revenues over the same period.
In a joint survey of developers by the two counties:
- 60 percent of developers said higher-quality transit, like a
streetcar, was very important or important in choosing to develop along the
Columbia Pike corridor. - 64 percent said a streetcar would cause them to add more
residential units to their developments. - 70 percent said a streetcar would
increase retail sales volume per square foot. - 40 percent reported that they are more likely to develop
along the corridor as opposed to other places in Fairfax or Arlington without
rail service.
The estimated cost of the streetcar line is $246 million.
Fairfax and Arlington will seek more than $107 million in federal and state
funds to finance the project. Both counties will share the remaining costs.
Arlington is expected to contribute the lion’s share, since most of the
streetcar line will be in that jurisdiction, but the details of how the costs
will be split still need to be negotiated.
Fairfax and Arlington will seek more than $107 million in federal and state
funds to finance the project. Both counties will share the remaining costs.
Arlington is expected to contribute the lion’s share, since most of the
streetcar line will be in that jurisdiction, but the details of how the costs
will be split still need to be negotiated.
2 responses to “Columbia Pike streetcar line: key to revitalization of Bailey’s Crossroads”
Leave a reply
Its another good day in urban Fairfax, this will really help re-establish the formerly powerful retail corridor and improve home values for sure. I hope it spurs a rebirth of Annandale as a great family friendly and young urban residential location.
This project is now dead.