Feedback Sought On Potomac Yard, West Falls Church Metro Names

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Metro is seeking public feedback on requests to alter the names of two stations, the future one at Potomac Yard and the current one at West Falls Church.

Metro will consider formalizing Potomac Yard Station as the name of the station currently under construction between the National Airport and Braddock Road stations. The Alexandria City Council passed a resolution to request "VT" be added to the station name, referring to Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech's Innovation Campus will be less than a quarter mile from the new station, which is expected to open in 2022. The first academic building at the campus is expected to open in 2024.

The West Falls Church proposal would remove UVA from the station name. The University of Virginia no longer has a presence near the station, leading the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors request to remove UVA from the name in maps and signage. The board also requested the Tysons Corner station be changed to Tysons station, referring to the census-designated place now known as Tysons. A survey on that name change was open through Nov. 2.

Metro's board of directors must approve requests for station name changes. Local jurisdictions requesting the change are responsible for funding the cost of the change, which includes reprinting maps, fabricating new permanent signs and reprogramming systems providing electronic information to customers across the 91-station Metrorail system.

Names must identify station locations with geographic features like landmarks or centers of activity, be distinctive, and not be longer than 19 characters (13 characters for transfer stations).

A survey is open on the Potomac Yard and West Falls Church name proposals through Friday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m.

SEE ALSO:

• Southwest Access Pavilion For Potomac Yard Metro OK'd By Council
• Virginia Tech Innovation Campus First Phase Approved By Council