Northern Virginia's Crystal City Gets New Life

In a county known for attracting young professionals to neighborhoods with its vibrant development on Washington D.C.'s Metro corridors, Arlington, Va. planners are hoping a facelift will help a 40-year-old, mixed-use development known as Crystal City compete with the upstarts.

The county is floating a plan to redevelop the 260-acre area, which lies along two major Metro lines and abuts Reagan National Airport. Under consideration is a $200 million, 20-year overhaul to convert Crystal City's functional configuration of office towers, hotels and underground shops into a lively blend of street-level retail, office space, and residential and open spaces, including a central park.