WMATA looking to build TOD near EFC, WFC, and Huntington metro stations (Vienna: 2013)

[brooklynborndad]

Metro Takes a Step Toward Development Around 11 Stations - Housing Complex

The article also mentions places in DC and MD, but the on topic sites are those three stations. Note all of this involved WMATA property only - at EFC only the WMATA lot, not the VDOT property.


I believe at all the sites they are trying to avoid any reduction in the number of park and ride spots.

[FC Merrifield]

Is this basically what they're doing at Dunn Loring or does WMATA not own that land? I know that one of the stipulations for the Dunn Loring development is that the new parking garage will provide more spaces than the previous parking lot. If WMATA gets some revenue from the development, it seems like a win-win.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by FC Merrifield

Is this basically what they're doing at Dunn Loring or does WMATA not own that land? I know that one of the stipulations for the Dunn Loring development is that the new parking garage will provide more spaces than the previous parking lot. If WMATA gets some revenue from the development, it seems like a win-win.

Mostly the same thing, I think. WMATA owns the land at DL where the new building is now under construction (not the land that Halsted was built on, though, I think). As at DL, I think they would build garages to replace the surface parking, then built medium to high density mixed use on the old surface lot. Though at some locations (like Huntington) they seem to indicate the land in question is NOT currently being used as parking.

I also do not think they intend to provide MORE spaces at all the locations, but merely keep the number of spaces the same.

[FC Merrifield]

Well, I don't know too much about Huntington, but the development at DL seems to be coming along great. Having a Harris Teeter and some other retail right next to metro means that riders can pick up groceries on the way home, whether that's by walking or driving. It also makes sense in light of the Healstead and Mosaic developments; they seem to be working towards a common goal even though they're being built by different companies.

I'm not as sure it will work as well at EFC or WFC. At DL, there was a bunch land that could be developed all at once towards making a mixed use area. The areas near EFC and WFC seem more restricted in this regard.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by FC Merrifield

Well, I don't know too much about Huntington, but the development at DL seems to be coming along great. Having a Harris Teeter and some other retail right next to metro means that riders can pick up groceries on the way home, whether that's by walking or driving. It also makes sense in light of the Healstead and Mosaic developments; they seem to be working towards a common goal even though they're being built by different companies.

I'm not as sure it will work as well at EFC or WFC. At DL, there was a bunch land that could be developed all at once towards making a mixed use area. The areas near EFC and WFC seem more restricted in this regard.

There is already some high density mixed use that was built on non-WMATA land near EFC, plus a new building on rte 29 between the metro and Broad Street in Falls Church, and several buildings on Broad Street.

WFC does not have that, buts its located between the new development in Falls Church and Tysons. And has a fairly big parking lot, IIRC.

Both are of course slightly closer in on the Orange line than DL which should improve desirbality, and EFC will have Silver line as well as Orange Line service.

[tysonsengineer]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

There is already some high density mixed use that was built on non-WMATA land near EFC, plus a new building on rte 29 between the metro and Broad Street in Falls Church, and several buildings on Broad Street.

WFC does not have that, buts its located between the new development in Falls Church and Tysons. And has a fairly big parking lot, IIRC.

Both are of course slightly closer in on the Orange line than DL which should improve desirbality, and EFC will have Silver line as well as Orange Line service.

I've actually mocked up how this could work at WFC. Full analysis is on my website. Pictures provided for your entertainment

[NC211]

The DL project is a perfect example of what WMATA can do with these other metro stations to both increase the rider count, while decreasing their management expenses. DL as a surface parking lot was entirely owned by WMATA, with something like 1,300 surface spaces. Sell a piece of the land to a powerhouse developer for the price of building a new 2,000+ parking garage on the remaining WMATA land. Reduces the land ownership obligation of WMATA, while increase that specific metro station's capacity for more riders. If WMATA wants more revenue, they need more riders. More riders means more parking spaces. Only makes sense to start going verticle with parking, especially if their only cost to do so is the loss of some of their existing surface parking spots on the old space count. I'm guessing DL initially cost them some 400 surface parking spaces to gain a 2,000 parking garage, a 54% increase to what they've had historically at the site. Builder gains total ownership of the land, and they build a solid multifamily product with high-end retail on the ground floor to serve not only the renters above it, but all of those folks coming/going from the new parking garage. It's a win-win. Assuming of course the cost of concrete doesn't spike again and the construction of the garage doesn't blow the "land basis" component of the budget for the apartment developer.

[mos1992]

Why don't they connect the silver line to WFC station its so close

[tysonsengineer]

Originally Posted by mos1992

Why don't they connect the silver line to WFC station its so close

Some day they likely will, when enough money and ridership will justify it. For now its actually not that bad to transfer depending on where you are coming or going to. For instance if you were close to Dunn Loring station, instead of riding the train to EFC then coming back up on Silver, you could take the 401/402 and be in Tysons within 15 minutes. Same thing with many options coming from WFC and Vienna, and of course if you are in EFC you already have the rail to silver line.

There has been a lot of talks about a light rail system between WFC and Tysons, but those plans are likely 10-15 years out before even being developed as a preliminary/concept plan.