VDOT continues to push for a widening of Route 123, not in Vienna where it’s 4 lanes, not in McLean where it’s 4 lanes, but here in Tysons where the 6 lanes that currently exist don’t even have any congestion on them.
Any traffic engineer who has ever been to Tysons (I doubt any of the officials proposing this change ever have) would know that bubbling out the street width between 495 and Route 7 will not fix anything, but it will divide the community even further, make walking or biking on 123 that much harder, and all but assure terrible design standards for another generation to come. That’s par for the course for VDOT.
Tysons continues to garner national attention for the ambitious nature of its future plans but as the Atlantic Cities points out, it’s the placemaking on an parcel by parcel basis which will determine the success of the concept.
Michael Caplin discusses the changes that are already underway to make the interim between today and future Tysons an easier place to live, with more activities on the weekends for residents to enjoy. There has been some success to tout on that front, several festivals this summer were well attended, and plans for a popup retail space at the Greensboro Metro are nearing fruition. It can be easy to forget about these kinds of smaller place making changes when watching the skyline filling with millions of square feet of development, but it’s these changes in the community which have the greatest impact.
Speaking of festivals, there is another one coming this weekend at Lerner Town Square called Tysons Fall Harvest. The festival will be more kid oriented with activities like a Candy Walk, craft making, pony rides, a hay maze, and the obligatory pumpkin carving, but don’t worry there will still be wine and beer if you don’t have any little ones in tow.
Pricing is more comfortable than some prior festivals, with $10 advanced without a beer/wine glass, and $35 if you want the beer/wine glass. It should be a good time, so check it out if you are looking for something nostalgic and fun to do.
