Progress was made at the planning commission last night as the board moved to approve the funding mechanisms for infrastructure over the next 40 years within and to Tysons Corner. The approximately $5 billion in funding (between $25-35 million of which will come annually from public funds) provides for a grid of streets, Fairfax wide transportation improvements, transit, bike lanes, and pedestrian improvements. Commissioner Lawrence was quick to note that at no point will “all” of the projects be performed at once. The process will be incremental and, as set in the recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, provide the Tysons Committee and thereby the Board to reanalyze the funding available, track history, and future needs for the city. The process of revising the document did incorporate many of the public’s concerns about defining a better language for general fund obligations and clarifying the intent and ratios for each sectors contributions. The Board of Supervisors will have the final say on the document this October. We’ll have more about the details of the recommendations. (TheTysonsCorner)
Additional progress was made at the planning commission last night in the way of approval for the Capital One rezoning project. The development ran into some harsh criticism by local citizen groups for its sidestepping of special tax obligations and proffer contributions. The developer believed that the additional payments should only be allotted for square footage proposed beyond their existing approved rezoning and not from their existing built condition, resulting in millions less for infrastructure funding. It appears that this was addressed in the proffers as well as numerous other public comments for walkway access, phasing of retail, and recreational field delineation. The Board will hear the case this October, but as Commissioner Murphy said last week, “the time to discuss and take public input is now… it’s typically too late by the time it goes to the Board.” We will provide more information on the final proffers as they are posted on the County database. (TheTysonsCorner)
Current Virginia Senator Mark Warner and prospective Senator Tim Kaine tour the Tysons Metro station that they helped secure federal funding for. Both believed that work had progressed on time and on budget and that it would serve as a testament to the ingenuity of Virginians. (Patch)
Oh and there was some kind of debate over at Capital One… I dunno… something about a crucial swing state seat in the Senate between two large names in Virginia politics. (WashingtonBusinessJournal)
Urbanism Concept of the Day
The Planning Commission gave some hope that the transformation of Tysons wont be for the next generation last night when they indicated interest in the ability to provide pop up stores on dormant construction sites in the short term as the city is being developed.
As we have said before pop up stores is a great way to create vibrancy and change in the growing Tysons and utilize the massive amount of space available currently. The store selections wouldn’t necessarily need to be retail only as many service industries and individual contractors might feel “priced out” of being in Tysons Corner currently. Additionally, one concept could be to provide a few central food truck locations or common areas for public congregation/concerts/art shows/festivals similar to events held in Arlington and DC.
Either way, the consensus from the Planning Commission that popup stores could prove to be useful for the growth of Tysons was a good step forward in creating the new feel that Board of Supervisors envisioned.