It's super cool, sure, but Virginia taxpayers are paying for it.
Amazon's deal to create one of its two new HQ2 sites in Arlington calls for the state to spend close to $200 million on sustainable transportation improvements to make life better for 25,000 new workers. [PDF] That's in addition to the nearly half a billion Arlington and the state had already been pouring into transportation infrastructure in this area.
The state's promised investment is a markedly different approach than New York City and State officials used to lure the retail giant — forcing Amazon to set aside half of its estimated $30 million in property tax payments for a city-controlled "infrastructure fund." True, transit advocates saythat far more money is needed to mitigate the impact of Amazon's Long Island City HQ2, but at least it will provide some privately funded relief for Queens commuters.
In Virginia, the Amazon deal means a new life for the most eye-catching project: a 900-foot pedestrian bridge across the George Washington Parkway and CSXT railroad tracks that will connecting the Crystal City offices to Reagan National Airport. The $30-million pedestrian bridge proposal predates the Amazon bid.
"It's a super cool project," said Steve Davis of Transportation for America. "It is kind of like the High Line (in New York City)."
The state has also agreed to expand capacity at the nearby Metro stations. The agreement promises Amazon an additional entrance at the Crystal City East as well as at the Potomac Yard Southwest Metro Station (a nearby new Metro infill station set to open in 2021).
Virginia set aside $28 million in deferred tax revenues for infrastructure projects but that amount won't cover the total costs. The second entrance at the Crystal City Metro station alone is reported to cost $78 million. Metro is reportedlyseeking state funding.
The deal also entitles Amazon to "mutually agreed upon improvements to Route 1," a wide, high-speed road that runs through Crystal City. Right now the road is a nightmare for pedestrians.
Route 1 in Crystal City. Photo: Google Maps
Chris Slatt of Arlington County's Transportation Commission wrote on Greater Greater Washingtonthat the road would be converted into an "urban boulevard" at a cost of $250 million as part of the deal. That's a nice chunk of change, but it will help make the area much more walkable and pleasant.
Sustainable transportation advocates like Stewart Schwartz, executive director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, said the proposal looks solid.
"Those all look like the investments we need," Schwartz said.
Amazon's expansion into the region could open the door to more ambitious projects, in the future as well, said Davis. In addition, the region could explore linking Maryland Commuter Rail, MARC, to the area through D.C., he said, potentially with the cooperation of the state of Maryland, but that would be a complicated long-term process.
Angie is a Cleveland-based writer with a background in planning and newspaper reporting. She has been writing about cities for Streetsblog for six years.
The Department of Transportation wants the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program to simply expire in part because it did not dramatically improve safety among these worst-of-the-worst drivers and led to a tiny number of vehicle seizures.
The capitulation on Fordham Road is the latest episode in which the mayor has delayed or watered down a transportation project in deference to powerful interests.
That headline above is a reference to the last line of James Joyce's Ulysses, which we won't pretend to have read. But we have that ... and other news.