Longer Name Recommended For McLean Metro Station

MCLEAN, VA — On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will vote on endorsing a name change request for a Silver Line station near the growing Capital One campus. Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill recommended the McLean station be named McLean-Capital One Hall Station.

The final name change would have to be approved by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's board. If the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors endorses the name, the recommendation would be sent to WMATA's board.

The name change would come as Capital One prepares its Capital One Hall, a performing arts and corporate facility on its Tysons campus. A Wegmans location is expected to open this fall at the location. The campus is within walking distance of the McLean Metro station.

"The name is relevant to a station’s location, no more than 19 characters, and is not repetitive. Naming the station 'McLean-Capital One Hall' will help direct visitors and increase awareness of this new landmark and cultural destination," Chairman Jeff McKay said in a letter that will be sent to WMATA's board chairman if renaming is endorsed by supervisors.

WMATA's station naming policy requires the cost to be covered by the locality, not WMATA. Capital One has indicated it will cover the estimated $335,000 cost.

Fairfax County is requesting the name change to be timed with the opening of the Silver Line's phase two stations. Other station names being revised include West Falls Church-VT/UVA to West Falls Church-VT (University of Virginia will move out of the nearby campus) and Tysons Corner to Tysons.

The opening of the extension to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County is expected in 2021, a date already behind schedule. As reported by the Loudoun Times-Mirror, Metro could consider pushing the opening to July 1, 2021 as a cost-saving measure due to revenue and ridership struggles.