No Metro Stop, Deal With It

I have been reading about the Potomac Yard development and the community discussion about having Alexandria come up with the money ($32 Million) to build a Potomac Yard Metro Train stop.  Given the current economic situation Alexandria City faces, I'm not sure that trying to find or fund a $32 million project is a sound decision by the city or a worthy community concern for those really pushing the development.  I think making the businesses pay for the rest of the money gap is a great idea, just like the stops for Tyson's Corner.  I'd also suggest if the Arlandria community desires the train stop, they go to the Arlington and Alexandria City councils and offer to raise their property taxes to fund the endeavor.

I think the obvious reason for the development is economic focused around mainly improving property values for those around the station.   Also, I'm not sure that the station would help many more people than those on the east side of Route 1.  Del Ray is a bit too far from the station, as it stands currently. On a different note, I think the 64 affordable housing units is a nice gesture (no doubt to comply with the city's request or to get some tax breaks), but the number should be more like 200 units.  Think about how positive it would be if the developers committed to a true mixed development of high value homes with affordable ones.

I do believe that a Metro stop will eventually be built, but  the sound decision is to wait until more businesses commit to building in the empty zones/areas.  Until it's built, the community associations should be working with WMATA or ART or DASH to develop a circulator Bus line similar to the famous DC Circulator that works to serve Metro-trainless areas of DC.  Arlandria is a perfect location to build a line that could be served by both Braddock Road and Crystal city by a circulator system.  With such a system Arlandria can meet their demand for more transit through the area.

There are very successful communities without metro access in Northern Virginia.  Shirlington, Fairlington,  Parkfairfax, and North Arlington.  Most of the wealthiest areas of NW Washington are also not served by the Metro, but by bus service.  Maybe Arlandria should follow these models...until they get their wish of an almighty Metro Stop