Columbia Pike Streetcar Gets a Life

It looks like we finally will see the development for Columbia Pike Streetcar whenever the funding gets distributed. I keep my expectation low for now because there's been too many projects on the book that haven't seen the light yet, due to funding.

The funding package for the street car was among the top projects approved by Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. Via Washington Post.

Plans to build a Northern Virginia streetcar network, once considered fanciful, received a major boost last week, when officials unanimously voted to give the project its first big infusion of funding.

The project is estimated to cost $138.5 milllion. Arlington County hopes to pay the revenue by itself from new development.

In light of development, everyone is talking about economic development, i.e. revitalization, in a down market. This project may well lift -- the hardest hit hood in Arlington due to subprime -- the much needed economic boost. The southern part of Arlington [area around Columbia Pike] is one of the last affordable hoods inside the Beltway.

Comments

[Bob H]

Maybe they could zone this area for Empire State building height in exchange for not using eminent domaine? Maybe people could sell there land for more money? Maybe they
could run the streetcar to Mark Center? Would the government pay for the project?

[Bob]

Maybe they should change the name of the street to Columbia Blvd. Pike has a honky tonk truck stop ring to it. Maybe they should zone this part of Arlington for Empire State Building height? Maybe use Washington DC for the mail addresses. If DC needs that kind of density..maybe they sold the area short with the form based code?
There is a tiny view of Washington, DC above.
The 16 G bus should terminate at Ballston Metro..it's faster to get to the metro from the west end. Maybe the trolly should have gone there? Maybe a bus on the trolly route until it's built? To establish the route?