Several weeks ago, the Alexandria city manager was reminded during a Federation of Civic Associations meeting that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) was in a state of flux, and that Alexandria should stop or postpone any construction of the planned $268 million Metro Station in Potomac Yard. His reply was that Metro was beginning to turn around.
However, save for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) lifting WMATA spending restraints that were imposed two years ago, there has been little real Metro progress. Since that Federation meeting, there has been considerable adverse publicity about Metro or its management. As an example, approximately half of the Track Inspection Department employees (28) have been disciplined; six were fired for “pencil whipping” track inspection records for as long as three years. This sorry practice contributed to a Silver Line derailment this past July. Moreover, Metro regularly issues notices that one or another of its stations is shut down for repairs.
Metro is not only impaired, it has been shackled by a lack of a dedicated funding source. In addition to receiving some Federal grants, Metro relies on contributions from Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, which makes it one of the few Metro systems that does not have a dedicated funding source. Alexandria’s contribution to WMATA will be almost $40 million next year, which is an increase of $6.5 million over this past year. However, Alexandria is projected to have a low revenue growth (1.25 percent) in the new fiscal year. Its unmet needs and funding challenges are significant, starting with infrastructure in schools and other city-owned properties. The Alexandria school-age population continues to grow each year, which calls for new schools in the near term. The combined sewer system is a blight on the Potomac River ecosystem that will cost approximately $300 million to remediate. These needs are in addition to a city debt close to $600 million, with a debt service for $80 million in the coming year. Since the commercial vacancy rate is currently 20 percent, the tax base may be overestimated.
At this point, one might ask why Alexandria is pressing on with plans to build the Potomac Yards Metro Station, when other needs are pressing, and revenue from the tax base is likely declining? This is an especially interesting question, since this Metro station is not really necessary. The entire premise for this location is based on the notional expectation that it will inspire development, rather than it being an actual need; Potomac Yard is well serviced by the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that runs from the Braddock Road Metro Station to the Pentagon Metro.
The bottom line is that Alexandria can ill afford to spend $268 million on an unnecessary Metro Station in Potomac Yards, when there are other far more pressing needs. The City Council needs to focus on these needs, or be prepared to deal with the consequences.
Townsend A. “Van “ Van Fleet
Alexandria