2050 Eastern Gateway Concept Plan - City of Falls Church

local circulator and city transit routes serve the, but regional
transit providers including WMATA, Arlington Transit, and the
Fairfax Connector could also serve the Transit Center. With
coordinated planning between the transit providers to minimize
wait times between local and regional services, the Transit
Center could serve as a convenient access point into the
redevelopment area and out of it to destinations throughout the
D.C. region.
The designated location for the Transit Center is in easy walking
distance for most of the redevelopment area. The proposed
multipurpose path around Oakwood Cemetery would provide
connections to the transit center from the existing neighborhoods
west of the redevelopment area. The proposed pedestrian
walkway connecting the Syms site to the Koons site could lead
into the multi-purpose path, and facilitate a connection by foot
between the transit center and these two sites. In other parts of
the redevelopment area that are several blocks’ walking from
the transit center, patrons could utilize the circulators to meet
other transit connections at the transit center or access the East
Falls Church Metro station. The transit center would also provide
bicycle parking and potentially limited parking for ridesharing
and transit riders.
Given sufficient space, another potential use of the site that is
proposed to house the transit center is a welcome center or
Vietnamese cultural activity center. A separate building
adjacent to the Transit Center could be developed, or the
functions and exhibits associated with a tourism-oriented activity
center could be incorporated into the transit center building.
This separate function was proposed to accommodate the
tourism associated with the current Eden Center. Tour buses
could park at the transit center, and visitors could access the
redevelopment area by foot (using the numerous pedestrian
amenities incorporated into the redevelopment) or the local
circulators. The Welcome/Cultural Activity Center could also
provide visitors with information to guide them through the Falls
Church Eastern Gateway, or house exhibits related to the strong
Vietnamese community in Northern Virginia.
Summary
The significant increase in density and mixed land uses
proposed for the Falls Church Eastern Gateway will lead to
extensive transportation impacts. This analysis has outlined
numerous transportation issues to consider, and proposed
several goals and strategies to guide redevelopment within the
study area. One of the top transportation priorities must be
promoting the use of alternative transportation options to
minimize the negative transportation impacts associated with a
higher population and density concentrated in one area. A
convenient, reliable, and affordable multimodal transportation
network must be provided to draw drivers out of their cars,
minimize traffic congestion and delays, and minimize air
pollution and other environmental damage. A well designed
transportation network, taking into account the specific plans
and influx of people expected per site, will provide a positive
experience for individual users as well as local businesses.
Providing a range of good transportation options will help
attract new employers and retail establishments, as well as
resident and visitors, to the Falls Church Eastern Gateway.