A New Suburbia

The Aug. 20 Metro story on the feasibility of transforming Tysons Corner into a vibrant downtown worthy of Fairfax County missed some of the most important dynamics of the discussion across the back fence in Fairfax: the community's desire for a true downtown in Tysons and the scale of density being considered.

Our research shows that 82 percent of our neighbors believe an urban center would add to the county's quality of life. The same margin favors extending Metrorail through the Dulles corridor. These sentiments were

repeated in the Tysons Land Use

Task Force's community outreach

meetings.

We are joined by leading urban planners and academics who see the future Tysons Corner as the first "suburban city" and a model for America's suburban hubs over the next century. Those hubs will help protect the residential character of our existing neighborhoods because of their relative scale.

Most of Fairfax County wants to grow differently over the next 20 years than we did in the past 20. Most favor transforming Tysons into a compact, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly urban center that uses mass transit as a catalyst for that transformation. And most see that transformation as the best way to manage the county's inevitable growth. Business leaders will continue to work with civic groups to ensure those desires are realized in a way that will benefit everyone.

WILLIAM D. LECOS

President and Chief Executive

Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce

Vienna