The National Landing Business Improvement District, a non-profit public-private partnership spawned by the DC-area’s selection as the location of Amazon’s second headquarters, has released a 15-page report outlining its plans to transform the metropolitan region into America’s “most connected downtown.”

“A next-generation mobility system is evolving, built upon the strong existing transportation foundation,” the report says. “Guided by a shared vision of economic competitiveness linked to multi-modal mobility, the public and private sectors are together investing more than $4 billion in a transportation network to meet the needs of National Landing’s future generations.”

The report continues: “Simultaneously, Arlington County is moving forward on $270 million worth of infrastructure projects to put people first in the public realm and improve transit connections; and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is well underway on Project Journey, a $1 billion project to modernize and improve access and connections.”

“National Landing” is the name given to the area in Northern Virginia encompassing portions of Crystal City, Arlington County and the Potomac Yard in Alexandria as part of a branding campaign following its selection as the site of “Amazon HQ2.” With it, the area sitting just outside of Washington D.C. is going to see a number of redevelopment projects, creating a innumerable jobs and ultimately turning DC into a major economic center in the US.

Amazon’s first visual rendering of its plans for National Landing features two office buildings standing at 22 stories each. Over the next decade, they plan for 6 million square feet of office space. Phase one, which includes the first two office buildings, will also see 50,000 square feet of mostly commercial store and restaurant space as well as outdoor parks.

To accommodate the influx of people both living, visiting and working in the area, Amazon and local governments are planning a number of projects to expand on capacity from existing assets, including: three new metrorail stations, five bus transit routes in Arlington, nine DC-based bus routes, three commuter bus routes, and new dedicated bus lanes. The new train stations will also connect with Amtrak and the Maryland Area Regional Commuter system.

Additionally, there are plans in place for the construction of a “Long Bridge” project, a two-track rail bridge spanning the Potomac River, which separates DC and Virginia. It will also include a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle lain. 

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons.