As a national model of successful transit oriented development growth, Arlington, Virginia is an example of how light rail can help transit oriented development work. Arlington spent decades putting transit-oriented development policies in place and is currently working on a feasibility study to build a light-rail line along Columbia Pike. 

The result of Arlington’s work includes soared property values, and new businesses, jobs, and residents. Urban villages, defined by their distinct personalities and their lively, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes are also throughout the city instead of gridlock and sprawl.  Arlington has great schools, parks, libraries, low crime, quality shopping and restaurants.  Norfolk will truly be reshaped by putting transit-oriented planning and zoning policies in place to maximize the development benefits offered by light rail.

The key to making transit-oriented growth work was vision, and the creation of planning and zoning tools to implement that vision.  Crucial to our success was an intensive give-and-take with the community to develop clear policy goals.  It took thousands of hours of public sessions to decide on these goals and to create a general land use plan focusing on transit oriented development.