Construction of a new park near Amazon’s HQ2 as well as improvements to sidewalks and bike lanes in the area could begin soon.
Arlington Junction Park is projected to be complete at 1051 S. Eads Street in about 18 months, if the Arlington County Board approves a $2.5 million contract on Saturday. The Board will also consider $2.9 million for two projects to improve S. Eads Street between Army Navy Drive and 15th Street South.
“The redesigned park will provide access to green spaces, park amenities, and other natural elements for nearby residents, workers, and other park visitors,” a county report says.
The recreation area’s master plan document describes a “contemplative green oasis in a densely developed urban context,” funded through developers.
Possible Eads Street changes, meanwhile, are divided into two sections.
Planned improvements between 12th Street S. and 15th Street S. are all on the east side of the street. They include adding permanent physical barriers for bike lanes and improvements to ramps and lighting.
“The project is intended to mirror the bicycle/pedestrian improvements included as part of the recently completed Met Park development on the southbound (west) side of the same block of Eads Street,” a report says.
Bike lane barriers would continue between Army Navy Drive and 12th Street — a stretch of Eads Street that would be reconstructed around the new park.
Funding for these upgrades would come from local tax revenues dedicated to transportation in addition to the county’s infrastructure investment fund for Crystal City.
Both the park and the streetscape changes have been in the works for years. Plans for the park began to crystalize in 2021, the same year the county began seeking input on upgrades to the southern portion of S. Eads Street.