Environmental Services
Clarendon Metro Plaza Improvements
Project Overview
| December, 2008 |
| Arlington Project Manager: | Tom Hutchings 703 228-3809 | |
| WMATA Project Manager: | Jim Hamre 202 962-2870 |
Project Vision:
Create an active urban, multi-use distinctive plaza to complement surrounding land uses with a focus on Metrorail access points. Integrate seating, bike parking, wayfinding and artwork as part of an adaptable enjoyable urban experience that will accommodate farmers’ markets, music events, vendors and other community activities.Conceptual view of the Clarendon Station Entrance
Project Description:
Project will create an updated urban plaza to accommodate higher volumes of pedestrians and associated plaza activities. The project area includes the existing plaza space between Wilson Blvd. and Clarendon Blvd. from N. Highland Street to the Metrorail elevators.
Improvements will include new plaza pavers with an integrated design, seating walls and movable tables and chairs, covered bike parking, streetlights, landscape lighting and additional shade trees. The existing center grass berm will be replaced with pavers and additional trees. The design will accommodate future improvements such as wayfinding, art exhibits and modular newspaper racks. Phasing of the construction may be needed to match current available project funds. The area west of the elevators is not included in the project.
Current Status: | The project schedule has been extended to be completed in November 2009. The design plans are 95% complete. New funding agreements are going to the County Board and WMATA Board for approval in December and January. To date the project team has completed three community meetings, a County Managers briefing, County Board Member briefing and is made up of a working group that includes citizens, businesses owners, the Clarendon Alliance, Kimley Horn and staff from multiple departments and disciplines. This group has continually refined the conceptual design being presented today. Construction is anticipated to begin Late Spring/ Summer. | |
Design: | Design is being completed using the Arlington’s On-Call Planning and Engineering Task Order Contract with Kimley Horn. | |
Construction: | Proposed by Arlington County Annual Construction Contracts | |
Ownership: | Remain as County owned property up to the escalator and elevator landing areas as per WMATA easements. | |
Maintenance: | Continue Arlington County maintenance by Parks and Recreation Staff and Smartscape Maintenance Team. A maintenance plan will be prepared as part of the project. | |
Funding: | DC-30-0038) WMATA + (DC-90-X071) RSTP Local Grant Match (held by WMATA) Arlington County Business Improvement Bonds (Held by WMATA) Total WMATA Related Funding
Arlington Metro Station Bicycle Parking Transportation Enhancement Grant | $222,213 $ 55,554
$ 23,704
$ 301,471 $100,000 |
Project History:
1996 Initial Transportation Enhancement Grant approved for the canopy design.1997 Federal Funding earmarked for the canopy.
1999 Clarendon alliance Urban Design Committee begins community outreach
2001 WMATA develops request for proposal to design Clarendon Canopy and Metro Park.
2003 Project expanded to include Metro Park, 13th Street Park and Community Canine area.
2003 HOK selected to design canopy and park.
2004 HOK begins design work.
2005 No community consensus on designs from Community Parks and Canopy Workshops.
2005 WMATA offers to include Clarendon in Phase II canopy installations.
2006 WMATA installs canopy.
2008 Arlington requests to locally administer Project using Remaining Funds.
2008 Original Project scope reduced to Metro Plaza areas only to match remaining budget.
2008 Kimley Horn prepares plaza design with Clarendon Alliance and community support.
2008 Project requires Sub-Recipient Agreement between WMATA and Arlington.
2009 Project completion anticipated.
Clarendon Metro Plaza Improvements
| Conceptual Design Graphics |
Programming Needs:
- Accommodate commuters
- Clarendon festivals
- Farmers’ markets
- Bike parking
- Holiday / event crowds around Metro access points
- Vendors
- Seating areas
- Paper boxes
- Semi-active night time use
Site Analysis:
- Earlier HOK concept work did not fit the character of Clarendon and did not improve the space for the program needs.
- Coordinate with existing and future adjacent development
- Solar analysis plan for summer and winter seating
- Current site elements:
- Streetlights “old globe” style does not match the Carlyle style used County-wide;
- Left turn lane from EB Clarendon could be removed adding plaza space and shortening pedestrian crossing distances;
- Current bike parking, not adequate, covered parking desirable and funding available as a separate source;
- Existing perimeter trees are healthy and if possible could be integrated into new design;
- The large center spruce tree will be difficult to incorporate into a more active urban plaza and should be removed;
- The center bermed grass panel does not work well for programming an active urban plaza;
- Bus transit activity is mostly serviced by the right curb lines on Wilson and Clarendon Blvd., not curbside on the plaza.
Next Steps:
- Finalize Funding Agreements between WMATA and Arlington County.
- Report back to the community working group after the CM, CB members and TC and P&R Commission updates to review 95% engineering drawings.<</li> <<li>Work with the Communications Office on a project update for the media.
- Submit 95% construction drawings to WMATA and AC Staff.
- Complete plans by January 2009 and submit to WAMATA and A.C. for signatures.
- Receive cost proposals from annual county contracts for construction.
- Begin phased construction by Spring / Summer 2009.
