Crystal City Plan Wins National Planning Award

A conceptual design of the intersection of
S. Hayes St. and S. 12th St. in Pentagon City, 

When BRAC hit Arlington County, they began a process to evaluate the changes coming to the Crystal City area. A city task force initiated the Crystal City Sector Plan, a long-range vision that will guide development descisions over the next 30 years.

Last week the American Planning Association awarded that plan the 2013 National Planning Achievement Award for Innovation in Economic Planning and Development:

"The Crystal City Sector Plan provides a planning roadmap for transforming Crystal City into a more complete, vibrant, walkable and transit-oriented neighborhood. Among the improvements planned for Crystal City are a streetcar line along the Route 1 corridor that will run from the Pentagon City Metrorail station through Crystal City to Potomac Yard; buildings up to 300 feet tall in strategic areas; 7,500 new homes; the transformation of Jefferson Davis Highway into an urban boulevard linking Crystal City’s east and west neighborhoods; ground floor retail stores and improved design and quality for public open spaces.

The 40-year long-range plan is a pioneer in the use of economic analysis for planning purposes. It also is among the first of its kind to closely study the economics of demolishing and replacing major commercial buildings. Its economic findings led to an infrastructure finance plan addressing costs and estimating increasingly substantial tax yields anticipated in the coming decades."

For more about the Crystal City (and Pentagon City) Plans, check out: http://sites.arlingtonva.us/ccpc/

Or check out this interview with Arlington County Board Member Chris Zimmerman:

Arlington's Crystal City Plan Wins 2013 National Planning Achievement Award - Arlington Economic Development