'Urban Disaster' Brewing at Tysons Corner
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The May 29 front-page story "Plan to Remake Tysons Corner Envisions Dense Urban Center" portrayed a future urban utopia and cited Clarendon to show that nearby communities often fear density but like the results. I'd cite Crystal City as an urban disaster. And, having grown up near New York City, I know that density can be overwhelming.
The problem with Tysons Corner's future is the unknowns. With Metrorail already strained, how will an additional line succeed? If Metro doesn't draw people from their cars, won't that doom the whole project? And if we don't have the will to integrate routes 7 and 123 into a walkable center, can we force powerful interests to concentrate growth in pockets? Density spread out is sprawl. If new growth requires a new sewage plant, schools, parks, etc., who will pay for them? Without impact fees, existing residents will subsidize the growth.
Without clear answers, county residents should be skeptical.
DALE MURAD
McLean
The writer is a member of the McLean Citizens Association.
