The Clarendon Sector Plan
Clarendon in 2003 is, to put it mildly, the seat of coolness on the north side of Arlington. Sitting mid-way between Rosslyn and Ballston in this busy Metro Rail corridor, Clarendon was the last of the five Arlington Orange Line "sectors" to be developed. Both time (translation: the slower initiation of new development) and the vision laid out in the Clarendon Sector Plan of 1984 created conditions favorable for the sprouting up of intimate clubs and coffee shops, ethnic and alternative markets, antique stores and unique restaurants-and the entrenchment of others. Clarendon's persona as a low-rise, "urban village-style" enclave, respite with a central open space adjacent to a Metro station, is where east (Arlington) meets west; where hip District residents meet hip suburbanites (Claredon's Iota was the scene of a recent West Wing episode); and where tourists are now beginning to gather in measurable quantities. The Urban Village website has some excellent information about Clarendon, as does the Clarendon Alliance website.
Where pedestrians are concerned, the 1984 plan stressed the linking of residential and retail uses and the commercial redevelopment district through pedestrian-friendly routes, and invited the use of quality wayfinding signs and other pedestrian amenities. These and other design guidelines have supported a largely pedestrian-friendly rejuvenation of Clarendon.
In 1990, an addendum to the sector plan fine-tuned urban design guidelines for the Clarendon area and made possible the development of a small retail enclave, Clarendon Market Common. In 2000, the County Board, in response to strong appeal from citizens, paved the way for a full-scale updating of three sector plans-Clarendon being the second among them--intended to guide the development of this community for from 10 to 20 years. And so the work began!
The current sector planning process is lead by a citizen task force made up of area residents, businesses, property owners and representatives of various County advisory commissions; the Clarendon Alliance (a public-private partnership), and County staff from various departments. A consulting firm, HOK & Associates, will develop the overall plan.
A primary challenge of this process is to allow new development within Clarendon that will upgrade the public realm and increase activity, while retaining some of the smaller, original buildings and eclectic streetside store fronts that contribute to the area's urban charm.
With regard to pedestrians: the plan will look at all modes of transportation to, through and from Clarendon-including pedestrian transportation. The plan will recommend ways to improve Clarendon's primary streets to make them more walkable for the many thousands who live, work, and shop in this vibrant, urban setting.
What are the most critical issues for pedestrians that have been identified to date?
- Clarendon Circle (not actually a circle anymore, but the intersection of Washington, Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards, and North Irving Street) is less than inviting to pedestrians. There is a strong desire to redesign the intersection for easier, safer crossing by pedestrians and to encourage walking into Clarendon's western edge and the Virginia Square sector. In particular a pedestrian route is needed between the Clarendon Metro station area and the George Mason University campus. A preferred concept currently getting some serious attention is the reestablishment of an elongated, landscaped circle in the center of the intersection.
- 10th Street through Clarendon encourages high-speed through traffic when it could serve as more of a pleasant passageway for pedestrians and bicyclists. Wider sidewalks, safer pedestrian crossings and narrower travel lanes for motor vehicle traffic are all being considered..
- Clarendon is interested in developing accessible open space large enough to allow for festivals and other major events, as well as additional open space(s) to serve as destinations for pedestrians (and others) in search of rest or recreation.
For additional information about the Clarendon Sector planning process:
