By: Bidushi Basnet, Youth Leadership Intern 2023

Katie Cristol recently began serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Tysons Community Alliance (TCA). In a notable career move, the Arlington County Supervisor stepped down from her position on the Arlington Board as she prepared to take on the role of CEO for the organization. 

The Tysons Community Alliance, a public-private partnership, is dedicated to transforming Tysons from a suburban office park into a vibrant and globally appealing urban center. In a significant development, the TCA has emerged as the successor to the Tysons Partnership. With a renewed focus on advancing the urbanization of Tysons, this dynamic organization is ready to bring about transformative changes. Notably, the TCA is adopting a fresh approach to decision-making at the board levels, as well as redefining its goals. To capitalize on the progress made by their partnership, the TCA is determined to address the remaining gaps and enhance the current infrastructure in the Tysons region.

I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Katie Cristol, and during our conversation, we went into greater depth about the plans that the TCA has in store for both the present and the future to fulfill the objective of being a "globally attractive urban center."

Before it was renamed Tysons, this crossroads in the countryside was known as Peachgrove, and it featured only a handful of modest shops. The year 1963 marked the beginning of a change in the Tysons area when it transitioned from a rural crossroads to a massive commercial center. This transformation was a result of the construction of an interchange between Route 7 and Route 123, as well as the installation of the well-loved Tysons Corner Shopping Center, which is now referred to as Tysons Corner Center. In 60 years, Tysons has undergone a great deal of development as a result of an increased number of businesses establishing their headquarters and offices in the region, as well as the addition of the Silver Line Metro Station. 

The establishment of Tysons Partnership and its successor, Tysons Community Alliance, has been driven by the goal of facilitating growth in the area. Now, TCA is set to take the torch and further catalyze the development of Tysons, working alongside private and public partners.

The Tysons Community Alliance has made it a top priority to address the increasing demand for transportation and mobility within the Tysons area. Tysons, constructed during the 1970s and 80s, adopted a suburban office park design that prioritized automobile usage over walkability, thereby shaping its landscape in a car-centric manner. In the ever-evolving landscape of Tysons, a fascinating tapestry of the past and the present has emerged. While certain sections of this area have been meticulously developed in accordance with the present standards, other parts of Tysons were constructed prior and do not meet the standards and needs of the present. This stark contrast creates a patchwork of the past, present, and distinctive character of modern-day Tysons. 

When embarking on a stroll from the Boro to the Tysons Corner Center, pedestrians are met with a less-than-ideal pedestrian experience. The sidewalks along this route exhibit a lack of consistency, posing potential challenges for those on foot. Additionally, the absence of sufficient shade exacerbates the issue, resulting in unusually high surface temperatures that pedestrians have to deal with. The TCA has begun working on concerns by arranging tree-planting activities and plans on engaging with developers and the county on how to deal with urban heat islands. "The tree planting was very purposeful and where it was, next to the pedestrian bridge over Route 495, and we're working now on a mural over that pedestrian bridge," Katie added in the interview. And it's not by chance. All of this is aimed at drawing attention to the bridge. You see a mural where there wasn't one before, and maybe that's enough to wake you up and say, "Wait, I didn't even know I could cross 495 on foot."

The implementation of enhanced signage and a comprehensive wayfinding system will change accessibility and foster a culture of pedestrianism among residents. The issue isn't limited to pedestrians; cyclists also don't have the best conditions to ride around Tysons due to inconsistencies in bike lanes and people utilizing bike lanes as parking areas for cars, which can have major consequences for cyclists. The TCA intends to collaborate with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) and local authorities to provide a safer environment for cyclists.

Traffic congestion is another issue that Tysons suffers in terms of transportation and mobility. Residents of Northern Virginia are all too familiar with the horrendous traffic conditions that define the bustling area of Tysons during peak hours. In a bid to address transportation challenges, TCA has unveiled its transportation demand management strategy. Under this strategy, TCA plans on working with an employer to ensure that they are providing fully-funded smart benefits cards to their employees, educating and engaging residents, or incentivizing carpooling and shuttle use, among other initiatives. TCA is working with some of the regional partners like the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC). NVTC is the lead agency on a study called Envision Route 7, which would connect Tysons all the way through Falls Church and then down to Alexandria. "The vision here is a high-capacity bus rapid transit, which means a bus that ideally runs in its own dedicated lane," Katie said in the interview. “Because it goes through the most densely populated areas. It will transport riders to their destination faster than driving, and it will most likely run through the busiest districts." 

To maintain its appeal to businesses and workers alike, Tysons must consistently enhance and expand its amenities and infrastructure. This commitment to upholding high standards is crucial for attracting and retaining a thriving community. The success of a business can often be attributed to the quality of its workforce and the range of amenities it offers. In light of its aspirations to become a globally appealing urban hub, it is imperative to consistently prioritize the enhancement of amenities for both businesses and residents.