Fig 4.9 - Courthouse Square Concept Plan

2. COURTHOUSE METRO STATION

Courthouse is a lively urban and transit-oriented village that serves as the county’s seat of government and hosts the Judicialcentre, Detention centre and primary govt. offices. At the center of Courthouse, Courthouse square will be the premier place for Arlingtonians to gather for conversation, recreation, relaxation & to celebrate important events.

Transforming Courthouse into a public square and planning for future redevelopment will provide a centralized civic center and public open space that will engage Arlingtonian residents, workers & visitors.

The conceptual plan, design guidelines elements include circulation & parking, open space, building location, use and design, cultural resources & sustainability. The Courthouse square area encompasses approximately 10 acres, centrally located within the Courthouse Metro station area. The existing properties are a mixture of privately owned and County-owned buildings; office, retail and residential uses; public streets; and public & private open spaces.

The Courthouse tower (seven-storeyed office tower) was completed in 1961. Metro construction started in 1970, and metro operations began on Dec. 1, 1979. The present day Strayer building was constructed in 2002. In the 1980’s , the success of the metro resulted in the construction of numerous multi-storeyed buildings consisting of residential, office and retail space.

FIG 4.9- Courthouse Square Concept Plan

In 1988, the construction of the Courthouse Plaza (residential) replaced a large surface parking lot immediately west of the Courthouse. This altered the existing circulation network with the closure of North Veitch and North Wayne streets and the construction of the Clarendon Boulevard in proximity to the study area.

The current detention centre was completed in 1990 and the current Judicial centre in 1994. Both were built across North Courthouse road adjacent to the study area. In 1997, the Old County Courthouse was demolished.

The future Courthouse square will be a network of interconnected open spaces that can support a wide variety of existing and future programmes & unstructured events. The square will be the social and cultural heart of Arlington and serve as a primary gathering space and activity centre for the community. A new parking garage below the new square will accommodate parking needs for existing and future uses in Courthouse Square. Community serving open space will replace the current surface parking lot with an underground garage below.

Multi-modal transit accessibility is the major theme for the conceptual plan. A new, centrally located Metro access point will provide a welcoming entrance and serve as a highly visible landmark for residents, workers & visitors. The square will be surrounded by diverse, walkable streetscape that are the fundamental elements of lively place making. Shared streets within Courthouse square will help connect open spaces to the building and pedestrian activities in the immediate area.

COURTHOUSE SQUARE PROMENADE

The extension of a key pedestrian connection between Wilson Boulevard and 14th Street North on the North Uhle Street right of way will create a vibrant centralized promenade and this will link the square both physically and visually to activities on Wilson & Clarendon Boulevards, metro, adjoining open spaces, County facilities, and local businesses and surrounding neighbourhoods. The promenade, which will be predominantly hardscape and tree-lined will serve as an extension of the open spaces and is an ideal location for strolling, browsing farmers market stalls and participating in community events.

ENHANCED PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION AT NORTH VEITCH STREET AND 14TH STREET NORTH An improved connection to Courthouse plaza from the South at North Veitch Street and 14THStreet North will ease and enrich the pedestrian experience in an area with topographical and visual design barriers, alongwith pedestrian conflicts with access points for parking and loading. This connection will be accessible to all and include elevator access, stairs and/ or escalators. The arrival point will access