Arlington’s boulevards make list of top streets in U.S.
The American Planning Association has named the Wilson Boulevard-Clarendon Boulevard corridor in Arlington one of 10 great streets in the U.S. for 2008.
The second annual award, sponsored by Chicago-based APA’s Great Places in America program, recognizes the role planning plays in creating communities.
Arlington’s implementation of smart growth measures in the area have resulted in above-average Metro use, mixed-use development along the two streets, increased density and a reduced carbon footprint, according to APA.
Twenty percent of Arlington residents do not own a car and 50 percent walk, bike or use public transit to get to work.
Bike lanes on the two boulevards connect to nearby Metro stations, and sidewalks continue to be widened to fit more foot traffic.
“The efforts of the community and local officials during the 1960s to get Metro routed through the commercial and business areas of Arlington shows the lasting value such planning and foresighted decisions create for a community,” said Paul Farmer, APA’s executive director, in a statement (pay day loan).
Since 1970, the number of jobs and office space — measured in square footage — in the area has quadrupled.
And more growth will spurt up soon, thanks to a two-decade plan developed by Arlington Economic Development in 2006 that envisions 1.1 million square feet of new office space.
Last year, APA called Eastern Market in D.C. one of the 10 best neighborhoods in the U.S.
On Wednesday APA also named Union Station in D.C. a great space. APA cited Union Station’s social atmosphere, transportation options, historic position in the L’Enfant plan for D.C., and its revitalization after periods of decline, as reasons for the pick.
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