Featured Story
Urban Design
The face of Rosslyn is being revitalized in a variety of ways, all a result of thoughtful strategies to make the urban landscape both user-friendly and beautiful. The BID’s work on the Streetscape Master Plan with Ignocio Ciocchini will go a long way toward creating a cohesive environment and reducing visual clutter on the Rosslyn streets. Other exciting projects, including the Rosslyn Metro station revitalization Moore Street Improvements, and public art installations, both permanent and temporary will energize and redefine the core of Rosslyn.
Creating Urban Character
With densities of up to 10 F.A.R. within a one-half square mile area, Rosslyn is quickly evolving into a jewel of urban character. Rosslyn’s proximity to Washington, D.C., makes it a highly desirable business, residential and tourist destination, with views unrivaled anywhere in the world.
Through its Urban Design Committee, the Rosslyn BID strives to maximize Rosslyn’s potential to create a world class community—a vibrant urban environment in which to live, play and work. Since 1992, the Urban Design Committee has been working with County staff, residents and developers to review and refine new projects being considered within the intense "C-O Rosslyn" zoning district. The Urban Design Committee is working to make sure that Rosslyn is “more than just a skyline.”
Public Realm
What is the public realm? It’s the streets, sidewalks, plazas, corners and parks of a city. It’s also the special elements that ensure an enjoyable experience for the pedestrian in these spaces – and makes them want to come back.
A good public realm puts the pedestrian first. We think about the quality, comfort, and aesthetics of the street. Is the area clean and pleasant to be in, comfortable to walk through? Is there a choice of places to sit, relax and people watch? Is there food, information and shopping available?
The ABC’s of pedestrian improvements
The common wisdom for downtown organizations is to “start with the petunias.” In the Rosslyn BID’s case, major landscaping projects have transformed the traffic islands, now filled with crape myrtles and knock-out roses, and planters filled with seasonal blooms that liven up the sidewalks. Street trees are neatly fenced and surrounded with decorative grasses. Other BID contributions include custom bicycle racks mimicking Artisphere’s logo. Colorful banners on every light pole. Convenient “You Are Here” maps and wayfinding signs. “Big Belly” recycling and trash receptacles. The smiling Ambassador team, dressed in trademark purple.
Urban Oases
The Rosslyn BID works through its Urban Design Committee to ensure that all of Rosslyn’s redevelopment projects create great public spaces, large and small. Some examples:
- The Turnberry Tower water wall;
- The tiny plaza adjacent to Red Hot and Blue;
- Le Meridien's fourth floor restaurant Amuse is just off the public terrace overlooking Key Bridge; and
- Public art projects such as “Liquid Pixels,” “Cupid’s Garden” and the new Christian Moeller "Quill".
Temporary Fixes
During construction, RBIC/The BID helps place temporary public art and planters, to add color and interest. CentralSpace, with its moveable tables and Adirondack chairs, has been a great success. The temporary furniture has also been added to other sites, around the district. “Rosslyn is a ‘work in progress,’” says Lucia deCordre, the BID's Urban Design Director. “Our goal is to make pedestrians happy being in Rosslyn—both during and after construction!”
Landscape Enhancements
RBIC provides landscape enhancements to traffic islands, planters, park entrances and tree pit areas seasonally, providing a better pedestrian experience and encouraging passers-by to come into the parks. Throughout Rosslyn additional planting has been added to further the County’s work.
Rosslyn Projects
Rosslyn’s location and dynamic redevelopment has spurred numerous urban improvement projects to enhance the pedestrian experience and the overall character of the street:
Gateway Park Planning
Use and re-design planning of Rosslyn’s Gateway Park by the County, JBG Companies, Rosslyn BID and the Community. This effort is proposed to be a “Community Benefit” contribution as part of the Rosslyn Gateway redevelopment Site Plan.
Meade Street Bridge Enhancements
Arlington County study on the long awaited pedestrian improvements to the Meade Street Bridge in Rosslyn.
CentralSpace
A temporary public space and rain garden on the JBG CentralPlace construction site.
Hillside Park Improvements
Public Park is now open! Go see it at Pierce Street and 16th Road. See it on the Map
Kent Street Island and Pedestrian Improvements
Wayfinding and Signage program
As part of Arlington County’s Wayfinding strategy, the Rosslyn BID serves as a pilot site for the design and implementation of a new County Wayfinding System that will overtime spread to other urban villages throughout Arlington County. For the past few years, the BID, in partnership with Arlington County, has worked with Gensler's Washington DC group to design a wayfinding system that includes 35 pedestrian, directional, and parking signs. The over arching goal has been to make it easier for pedestrians to find their way around all of the terrific spots, historic sites, public art finds and other delights throughout Rosslyn that all contribute to making it one of the hottest spots in the entire Metro region.
The signs and their respective locations have been carefully and thoughtfully reviewed by the County. New blue “You Are Here” signs already have been installed in front of the Key Bridge Marriott at 1401 Lee Highway; on Meade St., near the Iwo Jima Memorial. There are also new directional signs on North Lynn Street in front of the Waterview building; on Wilson Boulevard at Cupid’s Garden; and on Fort Myer Drive between the Holiday Inn and 1911 North Fort Myer Drive.
Other wayfinding locations include, but not limited to around the following areas:
- Arlington Boulevard and Ft. Myer Drive
- Wilson Boulevard and Ft. Myer Drive
- Ft. Myer Drive and 19th Street
- N. Lynn Street and Lee Highway
- N. Moore and Wilson Blvd
- 19th and N. Kent St.
Lynn Street Esplanade Project: Public Streetscape improvement
The Rosslyn Renaissance Urban Design Committee has been actively reviewing and participating in this exciting project which will improve Rosslyn’s northern gateway.
As part of the July 22nd 2000 County Board approval of the Waterview development project, the developer, JBG Companies, agreed to $3,520,000 for the creation of the Rosslyn Esplanade. Currently underway, the project is lead by the County Department of Environmental Services and Transportation and encompasses pedestrian and bicycle improvements along Lynn Street, north of 19th Street, including the expansion of walkways over I-66, and improvement of walkways leading to the Key Bridge. The initiative also redesigns the Key Bridge Overlook.
As the first phase of the project, the North 19th and Kent Streets intersection is nearing completion. The intersection is re-aligned and two new center islands have been constructed. Landscape design on the islands will correspond with the remaining Rosslyn traffic islands that have been landscaped and maintained by the Rosslyn Business Improvement District.
Corridor of Light: Major Public Art project by Cliff Garten Studio's
The Corridor of Light is an exciting public art project that will change the look of the north end of Rosslyn through sculpture and light. California artist Cliff Garten has designed towering steel sculptures that will be illuminated and will flank the sidewalks of the I-66 over pass at Key Bridge. The project will highlight and connect the Arlington's Gateway with art. The project will benefit from public and private funding.
Arlington Boat House
For the second time in eight years, the National Park Service (NPS) is again studying the feasibility of a boathouse on the Arlington side of the Potomac River. “We see the Potomac River as the greatest unutilized recreational asset Arlington has to offer,” says Carole Robinson, president of the Arlington Boathouse Foundation. She has been leading the fight for a boathouse for non-motorized watercraft in Rosslyn since 1992. “We have eight miles of shoreline,” she says, “and no access.”
Now, with the help of Arlington County and Congressman Jim Moran (D-Va.), the NPS is considering the possibility of a Virginia boathouse once more. NPS plans to publish an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). NPS conducted a public scoping period, and gathered comments and recommendations from local residents and community groups.
The NPS study considers five possible sites. The Rosslyn BID has written to NPS to support the plan put forth by the Arlington Boathouse Foundation for a two-site option in Rosslyn.
Studies
The Realize Rosslyn planning effort is currently underway lead by the County planning staff and consultants Goody Clancy. This plan is reviewing and updating the Rosslyn Station Area Plan Addendum (Rosslyn Sector Plan), adopted by the County Board in 1992, the current guidance document for Rosslyn.
The Realize Rosslyn plan will provide needed guidance to stakeholders and staff for implementing the vibrant, pedestrian-oriented and thriving urban core that is envisioned for Rosslyn.
The Plan is augmented by various other County studies and plans.
- Rosslyn Building Height Study
- Rosslyn Skyline Forum (Transcript PDF)
- Rosslyn to Courthouse Urban Design Study
- Walk Arlington Study
- Public Space Master Plan
- Rosslyn Multimodal Transportation Plan (Draft)