Developer asks to not build Potomac Yard bike trail

By Jonathon Krall

Prospects for a bike trail in the planned Potomac Yard development in Alexandria are up in the air, as are those of a pedestrian bridge that would connect over the railroad tracks from Potomac Yard (current home of a Target-anchored strip mall) to Potomac Greens (think Rustico restaurant, if that helps).  The bike trail, if built, will eventually run from Four Mile Run in the north down to Braddock Road.  The bridge is expected to be incorporated into the design of the future Potomac Yard Metro station.

As discussed at Tuesday's meeting of the Alexandria Planning Commission, the project developer wishes to provide money in lieu of these bike/ped facilities along with a host of other changes to the project. The concern among both the Commission and the public is that money provided by the developer "in lieu of" will simply disappear into the city's coffers.  However, someone from the Parks Department suggested that there might be a mechanism to earmark the funds.

Many at the public hearing spoke up for the bridge and trail, including myself, BikeWalk Alexandria President Jerry King, and quite a few residents of Potomac Greens.  So much so that the developer came back to the podium and tried to make it seem as though the bridge and trail were the only issues. The Planning Commission didn't fall for it (and wasn't amused).  The Planning Commission delayed a decision on the developers plans so they can be examined more carefully.  This will come up again at their next meeting, early next month.

 

Comments

[Christopher Fotos]

Thanks for you advocacy on this.

[Eric_W.]

Thank you Jonathan!

It never ceases to amaze me how developers try to skirt their contractual responsibilities.

[Christinelmatt]

Boo on that! What would be the best way (short of attending a planning meeting) of expressing our support for the bike trail?

[TurbineBlade]

Thanks Wash.

[Scott]

Is not there a bike path that goes to rustico from target? I know that the devloper had also kinda promised that a metro station would be build there. The only people that the bridge would help would be the people in the townhouses. The rest of the world can cross the bridge that is there. I can understand it was promised and I can understand that it would cut about 10-15 minutes of someones walking time to target but is it really needed? There are other "projects to finished" that the devloper has also promised such as trails that end because they promised a trail to the marina too.

[Jonathan Krall]

@Christinelmatt
Alexandria Officials can be contacted via this page: http://www3.alexandriava.gov/contactus/view_contactus.php
The people you want to write to are Planning and Zoning:
http://www3.alexandriava.gov/contactus/mailto.php?id=620

@Scott
Yes, there is a trail/sidepath along the east side of Rt. 1. Not ideal, IMO, as I feel that sidepaths (glorified sidewalks) are more dangerous than separated trails. The proposed trail will parallel the train tracks and should have very few at-grade crossings. The pedestrian bridge will be a northern connection between Potomac Greens, which has a number of shops and restaurants and the very large Potomac Yard development.

And yes, 10-15 minutes of walking time matters. Motorists have a transportation network that is, for them, everywhere visible, accessible and connected. Cyclists and pedestrians deserve the same.