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Commission backs Rooney’s Langston Boulevard redevelopment and urges faster safety study for dangerous corridor
Summary
Rooney Properties’ plan to replace the vacant Walgreens at 3130 Langston Boulevard with a mixed‑use building (roughly 300 units) won Transportation Commission support for transportation elements; commissioners and civic groups pressed the county to accelerate a Langston Boulevard corridor study and to prioritize safety improvements funded from available sources.
Rooney Properties and its consultant team presented plans March 26 to redevelop 3130 Langston Boulevard (the vacant Walgreens site) into a mixed‑use building with about 300 residential units, retail at street level and a partially above‑grade parking garage.
The applicant said the project consolidates curb cuts, adds a sidewalk‑level buffered bike lane along Langston Boulevard, improves a bus stop with an ADA landing and shelter, and provides internal north–south pedestrian connections. Mike Pincost of Vika, the project’s transportation consultant, said mode‑share assumptions for the site assume a significant transit split (41%) and that intersection operations would remain acceptable with recommended signal timing adjustments.
Staff noted the site requires a GLUP amendment and rezoning in addition to the site plan. Bryce Johnson (Development Services) said staff supports the project because it implements the Langston Boulevard area plan objectives on transit, bike facilities and stormwater mitigation, while acknowledging VDOT approval will be required for changes to Langston or the I‑66 off‑ramp frontages.
Community groups and residents urged faster action on a separate Langston Boulevard corridor safety study. Jim Todd, president of the Cherrydale Citizens Association, speaking for four civic associations, said the I‑66 off‑ramp and the Spout Run intersections are “the worst stretch of roadway” for pedestrians and cyclists in Arlington and asked the commission to press the county board to reprioritize funding and scheduling so improvements align with new development. Several commissioners supported that request and proposed a resolution asking the County Board to direct the manager to advance the corridor study into the coming fiscal year and to budget initial capital funds sooner.
Motions and votes: The Transportation Commission voted to recommend the GLUP amendment, the rezoning to C0‑2.5 mixed use and the site plan for the Langston project to the County Board. Commissioners also approved a resolution urging the County Board to move the Langston Boulevard corridor study earlier in the county schedule and to consider available I‑66 widening funds for implementation.
Next steps: The GLUP, rezoning and site plan will proceed to the Planning Commission, Housing Commission and County Board for final action; the commission’s resolution asking for an accelerated corridor study will be transmitted to the County Board for consideration.
