Crystal City BID Expands as Amazon Effect Envelopes Northern Virginia

According to the Washington Business Journal, the Amazon effect continues to effect development in Northern Virginia as the Crystal City BID was recently granted permission to expand its purview. The Arlington County Board allowed the Business Improvement District to broaden its borders into Pentagon City and Potomac Yard otherwise known as National Landing, the home base of Amazon's HQ2. The BID has been proposing the expansion since May and will now be 76% larger.

In all, it will span 12 million square feet of office space, 12,000 residential units, 5,500 hotel rooms and 1.4 million square feet of retail.

It also allows the organization, led by President and Executive Director Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, to help devise a broader strategy around property improvements and economic development in what will be HQ2's new hometown. The BID provides services and promotes businesses, and its operations are supported by an additional county tax levied on property owners within its service area.

“This area is in the midst of a remarkable transformation with billions of dollars committed in public and private investment," Gabriel said in a statement Saturday. "Through this BID expansion, we will be much better positioned to ensure our downtown’s growth is accomplished in ways that are sustainable and enhance the area’s diversity and livability.”