"Blue Goose" Building redevelopment would include cycletrack, Custis Trail improvements

Marymount University has a plan to replace its building in Ballston

The Arlington County Board today approved a plan to replace Marymount University's eight-story "Blue Goose" facility at 1000 N. Glebe Road with two new, more energy efficient buildings.

The buildings will exceed the density planned for the site, so the developers are offering some contributions to the area including

Some of the funds will be used to help improve nearby Ballston Pond, and to extend the Custis Trail immediately west of the site. The developer also will build a two-way, 10-foot wide cycle track on the north side of Fairfax Drive, and widen the sidewalk there. The cycle track will extend the Custis Trail connection to the intersection of N. Glebe Road along Fairfax Drive.

There's a bike lane there now, and this is part of the connection between the Custis Trail and the Bluemont Junction Trail, so it's a good place to put in an improved bike facility. 

The developer also will implement a Transportation Management Plan to encourage transit use, walking and cycling to the site.

Comments

[bobco85]

The design will make cycling in that area a lot safer for 2 main reasons:
1) it removes the conflict zone created when drivers cross the bike lane when trying to enter the Blue Goose parking lot from Fairfax Drive
2) cyclists coming from the Custis trail onto Fairfax Drive will have an easier and safer trip to get to the Glebe/Fairfax intersection instead of waiting at a long Wakefield light, maneuvering on the crowded sidewalk, or illegally crossing from the sidewalk/parking lot entrance (full disclosure: I tend to choose the last option because I find it to be most efficient)

[I forgot]

Crossing from a parking entrance to eastbound Fairfax Drive is not illegal. It's called making a left turn from a parking lot and is legal as long as you yield to traffic on Fairfax Drive.

[bobco85]

@I forgot: Honestly, I never thought of it like that. Thank you, I now feel slightly less scofflaw-like.