Past and present McLean Citizens Association presidents were honored at MCA’s centennial celebration on Nov. 20. Photo by Reena Singh.
In the last 365 days, McLean has gone through historic changes.
In just a year, the community has become the home of a handful of Metro stations and has begun the process of revitalizing the central area’s walkability.
The Silver Line meant the opening of four new Metro stations to much fanfare in July. The stations -- Greensboro, McLean, Tysons Corner and Spring Hill -- are all predominantly located in Tysons.
“Bringing Metro to our area is a major transportation improvement that will provide a significant economic stimulus for the county,” said Dranesville Supervisor John Foust. “Two new interim parking lots, which were obtained as a result of my board action back in 2010, provide convenient access to the new Metro stations for nearby resident commuters.”
Since the opening, thousands of people have been able to ride the Metro from their home in the suburbs to downtown D.C. with ease.
“Metro access has made Tysons accessible to everyone as a work, live, play option, and demand for all things Tysons is soaring,” said Tysons Partnership Executive Director Michael Caplin.
Caplin had spent the year turning Tysons into a blossoming community rather than just the business center it is currently seen as. Just this year, a farmers market, several parks and a laundry list of events were added, bringing people in from all over the county and the D.C. metropolitan area.
WITH THE METRO stations open came the growing concern for accessibility.
“Traveling by bus has become easier and more convenient with a greatly expanded Connector Bus service and the new Tysons Circulator buses,” said Foust. “There are also new walking/biking routes to the Metro stations.”
Plans are currently in the works to bring even more walkability and bike-friendly paths into Tysons. McLean itself has seen walking paths open up at different points over the course of the year.
“Many residents want to be able to walk or bike to schools, Metro stations, parks and commercial districts,” said Foust.
Some of these paths include the completion of the sidewalk on Dead Run Drive and a paved path on Lewinsville Road.
“We now have nearly continuous pedestrian access on Lewinsville Road between Dolley Madison Boulevard and Leesburg Pike,” said Foust.
More will be on the way. McLean Citizens Association President Sally Horn said she was happy to see the Board of Supervisors pass 23 of the 24 sidewalk projects locals were asking for.
A ONCE IN A CENTURY historical event was McLean Citizens Association’s 100th anniversary. The civic group - the oldest in the county - celebrated with several talks throughout the year, ranging from transportation updates to school concerns.
“We hosted meetings on a very wide and diverse set of topics,” said Horn.
The group held a party in November for their supporters, using the opportunity to honor all the past and present MCA presidents who were able to attend.
“Organizations come and go,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova said at the event. “We do not have the opportunity often to honor an organization that has not only lasted but is also a force in the community.”