| Tysons Corner Center, already one of the | | | | would move that vision closer. The plan would |
| nations largest malls, hot bed for real | | | | also merge the now separated buildings into |
| estate and the regions largest has proposed a | | | | something more like a city block. However, |
| new development plan that will expand the | | | | they will have to face vehement opposition |
| shopping mall into its own "self-sustained" | | | | from homeowner groups about traffic problems |
| city. | | | | and the effects of even more buildings, cars |
| | | | and people. By adding more commercial real |
| The proposed plans will double the mall in | | | | estate and increasing the traffic it will |
| size by adding more than 5 million square | | | | create an even worse situation in Northern |
| feet, or more than twice as much as the | | | | Virginia. One resident of McLean, Virginia |
| Empire State Building! The project is a mix | | | | commented on the proposed plan and said Wed |
| of mid-rise buildings containing hotel rooms, | | | | like to be able to drive from McLean to |
| commercial space for offices, retail space | | | | Vienna in less than a day!" |
| and condos. Northern Virginia is planning to | | | | |
| add 2 million square feet of office | | | | The plan would add some community aspects to |
| buildings, 600 apartments, and a 120-room | | | | the Tysons area including an outdoor ice |
| hotel and a few shops adding to the existing | | | | skating rink. Currently there is no place to |
| market for commercial real estate in Northern | | | | sit outside, only commercial office |
| Virginia. | | | | buildings. |
| | | | |
| The project faces at least two obstacles to | | | | The second obstacle is that only about a |
| the addition of more | | | | third of the project can be built before |
| | | | funding for the $1.5 billion Metro rail |
| Northern Virginia commercial real estate. | | | | expansion from West Falls Church through |
| First, it must win the approval of the | | | | Tysons Corner is approved. Members of the |
| Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The | | | | community are invited to attend the planning |
| Board would like to create a traditional | | | | commissions meetings. |
| downtown at Tysons Corner, and this plan | | | | |