Vienna small businesses owners and customers expressed concerns for impact of Silver Line opening, Tysons expansion on efforts to preserve the town’s character. Clockwise from top left: Abby of Vienna stands outside of Vienna Inn; Vienna Bargains’ storefront looks out onto the busy traffic of Maple Avenue; Beekman Place also looks out onto Maple Avenue in downtown Vienna; Vienna residents’ favorite places include Caffe Amouri on Church Street. Photo by Caroline Burr/The Connection
With the Silver Line opening date confirmed for Saturday, July 26, in addition to the overall expansion of the Metro and Tysons area, some long-time Vienna residents express their concerns of preserving Vienna’s small-town feel. Many small business owners along Maple Avenue worry about the impact the Metro will have on Vienna’s already heavy traffic. Others in the area do not expect to see much of a difference to business and traffic. Some residents have lived in Vienna for over 30 years and have already witnessed many gradual changes with expansion of the area.
When asked about first impressions regarding the Silver Line’s opening date and its effect on the Vienna area, many did not have much to say about substantial changes to everyday life. However, once traffic was mentioned, there were some comments about the effect of potential through traffic.
THE VIENNA TOWN GREEN, Public Library and popular spots like the Vienna Inn are all part of Vienna’s small-town feel and community-oriented environment. Abby of Vienna, who works at the Vienna Inn said, “There’s definitely going to be a lot more traffic,” and because the metro is open late, Abby said she thinks there will be “an increase in crime rate, kind of like Springfield Mall.”
Edy, owner of Vienna Bargains, has lived in Vienna for 36 years. His retail consignment shop has been running for 25 years. “Traffic is very bad,” Edy said. “Did you know over 200,000 cars pass by here every day? They must make a beltway around Vienna.” Because of the heavy traffic on 123 already, Edy knows that it is hard to drive around the area and because of that “nobody can come shop.” The traffic along 123 already makes for a limited amount of parking and accessibility to shops. Edy described it saying, “This isn’t even a street, it’s a highway out there.”
Next door to Vienna Bargains is antique store, Beekman Place. Inside, a long-time Vienna resident expressed concerns for the idea of expansion saying he did not “understand why they don’t spread things out more.” He asked, “How do they get these things approved?” and “What about the sidewalks?” Describing the traffic as total gridlock, he stated that he has lived in Vienna since 1966 and remembers when Old Courthouse Road used to have a stop sign instead of a traffic light. “Have you seen it now?” He asked. With the opening of the Silver Line, potential riders will not have many places to park as the plans did not include building additional parking garages at any of the Silver Line stops. While some applaud the decision to try and keep the Tysons-Vienna area pedestrian friendly by making an attempt to reduce the number of cars in the area, others are worried about the lack of sidewalks.
ANOTHER LONG-TIME RESIDENT, Peggy Everett, has lived in Vienna for about 30 years. Retired, she expressed concerns for the typical commuter saying anyone “getting to and from work will have some real headaches with it.” Although she hasn’t thought much about the Silver Line’s effect on the area, she is all for public transportation. “I think public transportation is great,” she said, “and if we are expanding this area that really has to be the way to do it.”