Crystal City BID Seeks to Expand Geographic Boundaries
The BID hopes to include to encompass interconnected portions of Pentagon City and Potomac Yard within its footprint.
CRYSTAL CITY, VA—Crystal City Business Improvement District is taking steps to expand its geographic footprint to include interconnected portions of Pentagon City and Potomac Yard. The BID also released a strategic plan, which engaged about 3,000 stakeholders and which outlines its vision for the community.
The BID has submitted its proposal to expand to Arlington County for ultimate approval by the Arlington County Board.
Namely, the BID is asking the County Board to approve an extension of its current boundaries to the west to incorporate the majority of Pentagon City and to the south to encompass the entire Arlington section of Potomac Yard, representing a nearly 70% increase in its geographic area.
“While the notion of expanding the BID dates back to 2013, there has never been a better or more appropriate time to pursue this important milestone,” President and Executive Director Tracy Sayegh Gabriel says in a prepared statement.
Amazon May Facilitate These Plans
Amazon’s decision to locate its second headquarters in Arlington could play a role in facilitating the BID’s proposal in that it will likely accelerate previously-approved plans for an additional 17 million square feet of residential, office and retail development throughout the district.
Indeed, Amazon’s commitment to Arlington is helping to accelerate a number of long-held plans, says Glenda MacMullin, Chair of the Crystal City BID and COO and CFO at Consumer Technology Association. “Our goal with the expanded BID is to capitalize on this renewed interest and ensure that the billions of dollars in public and private investments are accomplished in a comprehensive and sustainable way,” she says in a prepared statement.
If approved, the BID would represent over 12 million square feet of office space, more than 15,000 residential units, nearly 5,900 hotel rooms and approximately 475 retail storefronts and restaurants.
The BID reports that property owners representing 82.4% of taxable parcels and 83.9% of the total assessed value of all commercial property (including commercial apartments) within the expanded boundaries have already signed petitions in support of the expansion effort.