A long-delayed plan to build a new Metro station in Alexandria that would create a hub for millions of square feet of planned development is moving forward.
Local officials celebrated the groundbreaking Thursday on the Potomac Yard Metro station, a $320M project that is scheduled to open in early 2022.
The station, an infill stop between the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Braddock Road stations, has been planned for over two decades and has experienced multiple delays. Construction crews have been doing preliminary work since the spring, but permits have now been secured that will allow construction to pick up, The Washington Post reports.
The station is set to anchor a host of mixed-use development and a new university campus.
Virginia Tech in June selected a 15-acre site near the future Potomac Yard station for its new $1B campus, which was conceived as part of the deal to bring Amazon HQ2 to Northern Virginia. JBG Smith, the developer that landed Amazon with its Crystal City and Pentagon City portfolio, is also partnering with Virginia Tech on the development of its campus. The Potomac Yard, Crystal City and Pentagon City neighborhoods make up the newly christened National Landing area.
The Virginia Tech campus is planned to be built on a portion of the 65-acre Potomac Yard Shopping Center property, which JBG Smith manages on behalf of a pension fund. JBG Smith has plans for more than 6M SF of additional mixed-use development for the remainder of the site.
“Today’s announcement is a major milestone that has been a quarter-century in the making,” Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson said in a November release when the groundbreaking date was announced. “Alexandria has worked closely with Metro and our federal and state partners to plan for a new Potomac Yard Metrorail Station that will improve mobility, promote economic development, and protect our environment. We now officially move from planning the station to constructing the station.”
Regional transportation advocates applauded the groundbreaking Thursday.
The day has finally come! Potomac Yard Metro Station groundbreaking ceremony with @GovernorVA @AlexandriaVAGov @wmata @NVTAuthority Will support over 7.5 million sq ft of walkable transit-oriented development. @betterDCregion pic.twitter.com/uTpIDQpYFw
— Stewart Schwartz (@csgstewart) December 19, 2019
NVTC Commissioner and #wmata Board Chair Paul Smedberg thanks those who put in hard work leading up to the groundbreaking of Potomac Yard Metro in Alexandria. pic.twitter.com/UxkubD9Tpu
— NVTC (@NoVaTransit) December 19, 2019
Up next - Authority Chair Marty Nohe. The Potomac Yard Metro Station is projected to reduce 22M person hours delay by 2040. pic.twitter.com/96WDguyJWE
— Northern Virginia's Transportation Authority (@NVTAuthority) December 19, 2019
