Release Date: Oct 29, 2019

Crystal City BID's CC2DCA Feasibility Study Receives Top Industry Honor from IDA

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CRYSTAL CITY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT’S CC2DCA FEASIBILITY STUDY RECEIVES TOP INDUSTRY HONOR FROM INTERNATIONAL DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION

IDA Presents Award Recognizing Innovative Achievement in Urban Place Management 

 

CRYSTAL CITY, VA – October 29, 2019 –  The Crystal City Business Improvement District’s (BID) Crystal City to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (CC2DCA) Intermodal Connection Feasibility Study, developed to identify options for a direct and walkable link between Crystal City and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), is the recipient of the International Downtown Association’s (IDA) 2019 Downtown Achievement Pinnacle Award. The award was presented during IDA’s 65^th Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Baltimore, MD.

Each year, IDA recognizes outstanding projects as winners of the Downtown Achievement Awards which identify improvements to urban centers by dedicated organizations around the globe. The industry’s highest recognition, the Pinnacle Award, represents the most creative and inspiring innovations in urban place management. The CC2DCA Intermodal Connection Feasibility Study won in the Planning category.

Initiated and championed by the BID, the feasibility study established a vision for a dynamic, context-sensitive intermodal connector linking a multitude of existing transportation assets – two Metrorail stations, the Virginia Railway Express, premium bus service, Washington National Airport, and the Mount Vernon Trail – with an enjoyable, five-minute walk across a new, iconic pedestrian connection. Such a multimodal hub would position the neighborhood to attract additional private and public infrastructure investment, including the potential for a truly regional commuter rail service, an Amtrak station, and even the possibility of high-speed rail.

“The BID’s Feasibility Study aimed to solidify a bold idea into a realistic and understandable vision,” said Robert H. Mandle, Chief Operating Officer of the Crystal City BID and architect of the project vision and feasibility study. “The resulting alternatives analysis and conceptual illustrations captivated the imaginations of the public and elected officials as well as businesses interested in locating proximate to unparalleled mobility infrastructure.”

Following the release of the study in early 2018, funding for the next stage of the project was quickly included in Arlington County’s 10-year Capital Improvement Program, the only new project added in a difficult budget cycle. The CC2DCA Intermodal Connector was also included in a collection of high-profile transportation projects that were part of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s successful bid to attract Amazon HQ2 to Arlington.

“Implementation of the CC2DCA Intermodal Connector is a major component of our vision for increased and advanced connectivity in the Crystal City area,” said Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, President and Executive Director of the Crystal City BID. “The creation of a new pedestrian link between Virginia’s largest downtown and National Airport takes advantage of existing transportation assets while further catalyzing the neighborhood for future investment, spurring economic growth and enhancing the vitality of our growing urban center.” 

Washington, DC-based IDA is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. More than 2,500 downtown management districts exist in cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Place management organizations affect significant change in every major metropolitan area throughout North America in an industry that is growing rapidly around the globe. Place management work touches every discipline of city building, including economic development, leadership, marketing, events, public space management, policy, planning and infrastructure.

“The Crystal City BID’s innovative project received the IDA Pinnacle Award for setting the new standard for improving cities worldwide,” said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “The CC2DCA Intermodal Connection Feasibility Study has made an impact on Crystal City and demonstrates the continued commitment to champion livable, vital and thriving urban centers.”

Additional information on the Pinnacle award winners can be found online at downtown.org. 

About the Crystal City Business Improvement District

The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is a public-private partnership established to promote the vibrant Crystal City business, retail, restaurant and residential community. As Virginia’s largest downtown, the Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard - Arlington area consists of nearly 12 million square feet of office space in a mixed-use, walkable urban center that includes more than 32,000 residents, over 5,800 hotel rooms, and over 400 restaurants and shops. Nearly $4 billion in public infrastructure investment is anticipated over the next decade, and over $4 billion of private development is expected to be delivered by 2024. The BID is supporting the exciting transformation of Crystal City through placemaking, public art, transportation, economic development, events, and marketing/promotion. For more information, visit www.crystalcity.org.

About IDA

IDA is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Our members are city builders and downtown champions who bring urban centers to life, bridging the gap between the public and private sectors. We represent an industry of more than 2,500 place management organizations, employing 100,000 people throughout North America and growing rapidly around the world. Founded in 1954, IDA is a resource center for ideas and innovative best practices in urban place management. For more information, visit www.downtown.org. Learn more about the 64th Annual Conference & Tradeshow at www.idaconference.org. 

 

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