Can Loudoun County Stop Metrorail Phase 2?

Councilmember Tirrell voted to delay the rezoning of the Herndon Metro area until there is a better sense of Metro being approved by Fairfax County and Loudoun County. This, in my opinion, was the right thing to do. The rezoning is a critical element in attracting land owners and developers to redevelop their existing land in which they are currently leasing improvements; i.e. buildings, and most likely making a profit on their investment. If the Metro area was a "green field", which means a vacant lot vice a lot with existing structures, it would be much easier for the land owners to invest in improving their land by constructing new buildings on empty lots.

I believe Fairfax County will approve Metro phase 2. I do not have the same warm and fuzzy feeling about Loudoun County. They have major concerns on the financing, the toll road costs to commuters, parking, etc. A vital requirement for Metro is to have a terminus station at the end of the Silver Line. This is where the trains turn around, park when not in use, and receive maintenance. The terminus station CAN NOT be at the airport which is Federal land. It must be further down the line beyond the airport property and into Loudoun County. So, if Loudoun County Supervisors vote against Metro it could be the poison pill that kills phase 2.

For those of us who support Metrorail coming to Herndon and beyond, they must not only contact their Fairfax County supervisors but they also must persuade the Loudoun County Board as well. So, write emails, testify at Open Hearings, call you Supervisor and let them know you support Metrorail Phase 2.

Let’s remember, nothing will happen if Phase 2 does not get approved by both Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. I don’t think we want to have a by-right 38 acre Urban Development Area with an FAR of 4.3 at our southern border without Metrorail.