Tysons could get a reading-themed pop-up park
Renderings of a proposed pop-up park in Tysons. Image from Fairfax County's Department of Planning and Development staff report on the amendment proposal.
Tysons could soon have a new reading-themed pop-up park space with a lending library, book-themed art, and food trucks.
Developer Dittmar is proposing the park as an interim use for land at the intersection of Westpark Drive and Leesburg Pike, near the Greensboro Metro station. If the necessary zoning modifications are approved, the park is expected to be built in the first half of this year, said Elizabeth Baker, a land use planner for Walsh Colucci who is representing Dittmar on the project.
Dittmar has plans to redevelop the 5.32-acre site with two residential buildings and a hotel. The land previously housed the now-demolished Best Western Westpark Hotel, and was most recently used as a staging area for construction of The Boro development. Today, it is a parking lot.
Washington Business Journal reported in August that Dittmar’s request signaled another delay for the mixed-use development, called Westpark Plaza, which was first approved in 2014. According to Dittmar’s application, the interim uses are expected to be in place for five years, after which construction on Westpark Plaza might start.
In addition to the park, Dittmar is asking for permission to add 480 spaces for new vehicle storage during the interim period.
According to the application, the 16,500 square foot pocket park (which Baker says has no official name yet) would be centered around reading. The theme is a nod to the public library at The Boro that the developer has agreed to help fund as part of the approval process.
Plans outlined in the application include a lending library box and “Instagram Moments” such as an art installation and oversized Adirondack chairs. The park would also feature painted asphalt (the rendering shows a bookshelf design), an area for sidewalk chalk, alphabet stepping stones, phone charging, and space for food trucks.
Fairfax County’s Planning Board gave the plan its stamp of approval in December, and the application is scheduled to go before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on January 26.