U r b a n T r e k k e r

Tysons Corner Urban Living for Real?

Will it be for real Tyson's Corner 'burb' transformation into downtown urban living? The proposed project is already out there. The transformation wouldn't be possible without the help of Metro with four stops proposed for the neighborhood.

However, before we can see Metro stations in Tysons Corner, Washington Post reported that these are the challenges ahead: Engineering challenge, funding of the project and how the tracks will be built.

Many of us don't realize that Tysons actually sits on the highest elevation in Fairfax County, about 515 feet above sea level. Nice view from here. Once I had an office in the 8th floor of a building that sits on the highest point at Tysons area. On a clear day, the view is spectacular - you can see as far as Bethesda, Rockville in Maryland on one side and the Cathedral in DC on the other side. The hill is the biggest challenge of all for the engineers working on this project.

But for the engineers designing a Metrorail line to the area's malls and offices, the hill at Tysons Corner presents a significant obstacle: Railroad tracks generally must be laid flat or at very slight inclines. Otherwise, the steel wheels lose traction.

Condo Sales Still Strong

Condo sales reached record high in existing home sales for the month of June, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Existing condominium and cooperative housing sales hit a fourth consecutive monthly record in June, rising 4.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 960,000 units from a pace of 919,000 in May. Last month’s sales activity was 12.4 percent above the 854,000-unit level in June 2004. The median condo price was $223,500, up 14.8 percent from a year earlier. Condo/co-op sales accounted for a 13.1 percent market share.

Columbia Pike Revitalization

This breaking news coming directly from Arlington County. The County has approved Columbia Village, a mixed-use residential and retail project at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Greenbrier Street. The first major project was Sierra Condominium (SOLD OUT!), a new condominium just around the corner from the proposed project.

The Columbia Village Project

The project, which is located in the western gateway of the Columbia Pike Special Revitalization District, will feature a new 10-story, “U” shaped building combining retail and condominiums built close to the street. A mixed-use project, Columbia Village fulfills the vision of the Form Based Code as a cornerstone of the “Main Street” concept, preserving and enhancing the streetscape by creating a pedestrian-oriented development that will make Columbia Pike a pleasant walking experience.Pedestrian amenities include a double row of street trees, planters and wider sidewalks, in accordance with the Columbia Pike Street Space Plan. The “Main Street” is achieved through a lively mix of shopfronts, sidewalk cafes and other commercial uses at street level, overlooked by canopy shade trees and upper story residences and/or offices.

We'll keep you posted with the project.

The High Price DC Market Softens

I think the market softens a little bit this summer. Have seen many properties offers price reduction, especially those in the higher end market, which we hadn't seen it for a while. Sanity is back.

Here is an excerpt from Washington Post about DC housing market.

Home sales tend to slow in the summer, but the number of houses for sale in the Washington area has climbed by 50 percent in recent months. The available inventory has risen to about 35,300 homes, up from an average of about 23,000 in the past three years, according to Metropolitan Regional Information Systems Inc., which runs the local multiple-listing service.

Worry? You shouldn't. Because the average number of days on the market is just up for a couple of days, according to Washington Post. The DC market is still strong.

In their sample, WaPo is using Fairfax in Northern Virginia as a sample. The stats is not the same for Arlington County.

Update: Loudoun Zoning Politics

This is a follow up to the post about the zoning politics of Loudoun County. The Republican controlled board of supervisors voted 5-4 for curb in growth. Via Washington Post.

The proposal would allow builders to more than double the 9,200 houses the county says are now in the area. A competing proposal that could have more than tripled the number of houses in western Loudoun was turned aside yesterday. Current rules allow as many as 55,000 houses there.

Read more......

Car Sharing Use: Flex and Zip Cars

Want to wheels around but don't want the headaches and costs of keeping a car, especially if you work and live around where parking is a "luxury"? This is your option to wheels around town and not worry about the maintenance costs. Car sharing is a popular thing that complements urban living style. It's easy and simple to use. You don't need to own a car to zip around town, use the car for as long as you need, by the hour.

There are two companies competing for car sharing business, Zip car and Flex car. They are membership based companies. To use the service you have to be a member.

From Flexcar's website:

A personal Flexcar membership costs only $40 a year. Rates are $7-$10 per hour and $35 - $90 per day. These rates include full insurance, gas, maintenance, cleaning, parking and 24-hour emergency service.

Free Wi-Fi in Dupont Circle

According to Washington Post, Dupont Circle is the latest addition to a list of places offering free wi-fi. Other places in DC with hotspots  free wi-fi in the District are Capitol Hill, Freedom Plaza and Pershing Park.

Open Park, a DC based non-profit organization that provides wi-fi, is pushing for free access along the Mall. It's pending approval. On the other side of the river, in Virginia, Old Town Alexandria along the waterfront is the only place where you can find hotspots for now. Soon, Arlington will offer free access around Courthouse area, pending approval.

Read more.....

Is Housing Market Cooling off?

This gloomy report about the cooling off of housing market is on the front page of Washington Post business section yesterday.

Here's an excerpt:

Builders began construction on fewer single-family houses in June, a possible sign that years of strong growth in the national housing market may finally be leveling off.

Overall, new housing starts, which include apartment buildings and condominiums, were flat.

The new housing figures, released yesterday by the Commerce Department,bolster the view of economists who have predicted a gradual slowdown in housing starts and an easing of price increases as mortgage rates tick up with the prospect of passing the 6 percent mark by next year.

On the Market: The Savoy

The Savoy is a new luxury condominium community located right in downtown Reston, within walking distance to everything - Reston high-tech corridor, Reston Town Center and other shops outside the Center.

What's interesting is that Reston is a "burb" and yet its downtown has transformed into an urban village, except unlike closer-in villages of Arlington, Alexandria, this transformation is without the Metro. However, if you have the patience you will see (hopefully!) in 10 years that Reston will be within a short drive from the proposed Metro station.

No More FREE Parkings in Arlington

Apparently Arlington County is the only jurisdiction in the Washington area that let their residents who live in tight urban neighborhoods to park for free.. up until now. Yes folks, it's FREE! Soon, these residents will have to pay to park. The common sense behind this whole thing is to preserve the neighborhoods. The first car can still park free on the street. You will only start paying fees for the second, third and so on.

Via Arlington County press release.

Until now, Arlington was one of the only jurisdiction in the Washington area that did not charge fees for residential permit parking. Costs of the new program modernization will be partly offset by nominal fees for residents with multiple cars in the program. Street space for the first car per household will remain free with a new FlexPass, and each household will also get 20 free short-term visitor passes each year.