Gondola Study Pulls In $35K From Arlington

Arlington gave unanimous support, and $35,000 in cash, toward a study of a gondola attraction crossing the river from Rosslyn-to-Georgetown along the Key Bridge.

“This doesn’t mean it’s a done deal by any means, but we’ll take a look at it,” said board chair Libby Garvey just prior to the vote, noting she was still skeptical, according to The Washington Post.

The total cost of the study will reach $165,000 with several other partners covering the rest of the cost, including Georgetown Business Improvement District, Rosslyn Business Improvement Corporation, Georgetown University, and more.

The purpose of the Gondola Study is to explore the ridership demand, cost of installation, cost of operations, type of operations, engineering and technical issues, and entitlement and permitting issues, associated with the planning and deployment of gondola ropeway technology between the area around Rosslyn and Georgetown.

History

In 2014, the Georgetown Business Improvement District developed the Georgetown 2028 15 Year Action Plan. The Georgetown 2028 Plan recommended a “feasibility study on the construction, cost, and operation of an aerial gondola to provide a fast, reliable and picturesque transit link between Rosslyn and the Georgetown commercial district and Georgetown University.”

Last summer, at its July 2015 County Board Meeting, the Arlington County Board adopted the Rosslyn Sector Plan as a long-term vision and guide for the Rosslyn Coordinated Redevelopment District. The Rosslyn Sector Plan recommends coordination with the District of Columbia on potential transportation infrastructure projects that enhance connections, “such as the aerial gondola between Rosslyn and Georgetown.”

On Jan. 7, the county’s Transportation Commission voted 6-3-2 in support of the County’s participation in the Gondola Study. Those who opposed participation in the study expressed concern that the primary purpose of a gondola would be for tourism rather than for transport.

The commission said in a letter to Libby Garvey, County Board chair, that without the study, it would be hard to say whether the gondola was a worthy project that solves a real transportation issue in a cost-effective manner.

Mary Ann Barton contributed to this report