Arlington County Board Approves Public Square for Columbia Pike
The Arlington County Board just approved the master plan for Penrose Square, the first and largest of three new squares planned for Columbia Pike’s Town Center that are key to the County’s efforts to transform the Pike.
The 33,000 sq. ft. square will be located on the north side of Columbia Pike between South Cleveland and South Barton Streets in what are now the existing surface parking lots of the Adams Square and Fillmore Shopping Centers. The square will face south, fronting on Columbia Pike.
The square’s design was developed by a 12-member citizen Working Group appointed by the Board. The idea was to create a space that would draw the community together to socialize, dine, relax or recreate.
Main elements of the design include:
* Bosque (tree-covered) terrace with movable seats and tables
* Centrally located paved plaza
* Low seating wall and step feature
* Zero-depth, interactive water fountain
* Two mounded lawn areas that provide casual seating options
* Custom retaining walls along Columbia Pike and South Cleveland Street
* Public art features that relates to local history
Phasing it in
The square will be built in two phases. Phase I will consist of a 17,760-sq. ft. parcel which represents the eastern half of the square. Construction of Phase I is expected to begin in mid-2010 and has an estimated cost of $2.2 million.
Phase II will be provided by and coordinated with the future redevelopment of the Fillmore Shopping Center site. Although a construction date for the second portion of the square is not yet determined, it is projected to cost an additional $2 million.
They’ve been talking about the revitalization of Columbia Pike for as long as I can remember. Looks like something might actually happen about it!
