Potomac Yard facts for kids
Potomac Yard is a busy neighborhood in Northern Virginia. It sits between parts of Arlington County and Alexandria, Virginia. This area gets its name from a huge rail yard that used to be here. It was once one of the busiest rail yards on the East Coast! Today, Potomac Yard is a mix of homes, shops, and offices. It's also home to a big shopping center called the Potomac Yard Retail Center.
In 2018, Amazon decided to build part of its second main office, called "HQ2," in this area. It's part of a larger neighborhood now known as National Landing. This new area includes Potomac Yard and nearby parts of Crystal City. Originally, Amazon planned to split HQ2 between National Landing and New York. However, due to concerns from New York officials, Amazon chose to make National Landing the only HQ2 location.
Before Amazon's decision, Virginia Tech announced it would build an "Innovation Campus" in the Alexandria part of the neighborhood. This campus will focus on new ideas and technology.
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History of Potomac Yard
Early Days and Canals
In the 1700s, English settlers built several large farms, called plantations, in this area. The land later became part of Alexandria County, D.C. in 1791 when Washington, D.C. was created. In 1846, the land was given back to Virginia.
The area's role in transportation began in 1830. That's when the U.S. Congress approved the Alexandria Canal Company. This canal opened in 1843. It connected the port of Alexandria to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Georgetown. The canal helped move goods until it closed in 1886.
The Rise of the Rail Yard
Railroad development started in the 1850s. However, it faced challenges from politics and the American Civil War. The Alexandria and Washington Railroad began service in 1857. It ran a new rail line between Long Bridge and Alexandria.
By the late 1800s, there were many different rail lines and stations in the region. A plan for Washington, D.C., in 1901, suggested bringing all these rail operations together. This plan led to the building of a new Union Station (completed 1908) and a new New Long Railroad Bridge (completed 1904).
Following this plan, several major railroad companies joined forces. They formed the Richmond-Washington Company. This company managed traffic and controlled the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad (RF&P). It also managed the new Alexandria Union Station, which opened in 1905. Most importantly, it managed the new switching yard, which opened on October 15, 1906. This was the famous Potomac Yard.
Potomac Yard's Golden Age
The booming "Pot Yard" attracted thousands of workers. Many of them settled in nearby areas like Del Ray and St. Elmo. These areas became the town of Potomac in 1908. However, the City of Alexandria took them over in 1930.
In its busiest times, Potomac Yard was one of the most active rail yards in the Eastern United States. It handled thousands of train cars every day. In 1935, the Pennsylvania Railroad extended its electric train system to Potomac Yard. This was its southernmost point. The yard became so busy that it reached its maximum capacity in 1937.
Decline of the Rail Yard
Over time, the different railroad companies merged. This meant there was less need for Potomac Yard to switch freight cars. The RF&P company decided that the land was more valuable than keeping the yard open. The old electric lines were taken down in the 1980s. In 1987, the site was identified as a toxic waste area. The RF&P finally closed the yard in 1989. Since then, there have been many discussions about how to clean up and redevelop the land.
Redevelopment of Potomac Yard
When the rail yard closed, decades of industrial use had left the site polluted. It had heavy metals and diesel fuel. It was immediately declared a Superfund site. This means it was a place with hazardous waste that needed a major cleanup. In 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a cleanup plan. The cleanup was finished by 1998.
After the cleanup, different groups had ideas for what to do with the land. The City of Alexandria first rejected a plan for mixed use in 1992. Even Jack Kent Cooke, who owned the Washington Redskins at the time, tried to build a new football stadium there, but it didn't happen.
In 1995, about 70 acres of the site were approved for retail use. The Potomac Yard Center, a large strip mall with big stores, was completed in 1997. Other parts of Potomac Yard have since been planned for homes, offices, parks, and more shops.
Many new buildings have gone up. One and Two Potomac Center were finished in 2005 and house several EPA offices. The southern part of the Alexandria section is still being built. The plan for Alexandria includes a new Town Center, office space, a hotel, shops, and about 1,900 homes. The plan for the Arlington side includes office space, a hotel, shops, and about 1,000 homes. There will also be a 25-acre park owned by Arlington County. A mixed-use apartment community called Station 650 was completed in 2015. It has 183 homes and shops on the ground floor.
Potomac Yard Park
Construction for Potomac Yard Park started in 2009. It officially opened on December 14, 2013. The park is 24 acres and has a water fountain, playgrounds, and sports fields. It is located south of the main shopping area. It borders the train tracks used by freight trains and Virginia Railway Express commuter trains.
The City of Alexandria has put up seven signs in Potomac Yard Park. These signs tell the story of the area's history in order. They cover topics like:
- Virginia's First Highways
- The Alexanders & Agriculture
- Building Potomac Yard
- The People of Potomac Yard
- Crossroads of Transportation
- The Rail Yard Hump
- Potomac Yard In Transition
Transportation in Potomac Yard
Metroway Bus Service
A special bus service called Metroway opened in August 2014. It connects Crystal City to Potomac Yard. These buses travel in their own special lanes along U.S. Route 1. This helps them avoid traffic and get people where they need to go faster.
Potomac Yard Metro Station
A new Washington Metro station, called Potomac Yard station, is being built. It was expected to open in October 2022. However, due to a safety issue with the train control systems, the opening date was pushed back. This station will make it much easier for people to travel to and from Potomac Yard using the Metro's Blue Line and Yellow Line.
Cancelled Streetcar Plan
A streetcar system was once proposed for Northern Virginia. It would have opened in 2020. The streetcars would have traveled between Potomac Yards, Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Bailey's Crossroads. However, in November 2014, the Arlington County Board decided to cancel the streetcar plan.
