The View From 1983:

The Friendship Heights area had become one of the region's largest centers with a mix of high-rise apartments, status retail and large office structures before Metrorail was planned. Changes to plans in anticipation of Metrorail has reduced the permitted densities around the Metrorail station in response to growing traffic problems and to community opposition to increased development. Plans as amended now call for a medium-density mix of office and retail in the station area.

Joint development of an office and retail structure is proposed for a site directly above the transit station entrance in Maryland. A new apartment building has been developed on nearby Willoughby Street and plans for an additional 640 dwelling units have been approved.

ADDITIONAL CASE STUDIES:

District of Columbia. Anacostia, Farragut North + Farragut West, Gallery Place + Metro Center, Navy Yard, Rhode Island Avenue, Takoma.

Maryland. Addison Road, Friendship Heights, New Carrollton, Rockville, Silver Spring.

Virginia. Ballston + Court House + Rosslyn, King Street, Huntington.

EXCERPTED FROM:

These observations were compiled in 1983 by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, a group of 300 area-politicians that currently self-identifies as “the hub for regional partnership.” Within the context of 1980’s Metro history, transit author Zachary Schrag has described the group as essentially “a forum for intergovernmental discussions,” without direct impact on policy.

Read the full text below. “Metrorail Station Area Planning, A Metrorail Before-and-After Study Report,” by Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. August, 1983