Press Releases
KSI Services Developing Eight New Communities Expected to Reduce DC-Area Traffic Congestion
Homeowners will have access to public transportation, innovative Flexcar services
March 17, 2006
In an effort to reduce congestion and offer Washington, D.C., metropolitan residents an alternative to driving on traffic-choked roadways, KSI Services Inc. is developing several new communities near multi-modal public transportation including rail and bus routes, company executives said yesterday.
The Vienna-based firm, one of the largest commercial and residential developers in the metropolitan area, is developing eight communities along Metro rail and bus lines in select locations throughout Virginia and Maryland. KSI selected the locations because they offer public access to major commuter hubs and will help combat the region’s growing traffic problems, which are reaching critical proportions as more people move into the region.
“Traffic congestion is quickly becoming a major social and political issue, and there are no simple solutions to the problem,” said John Chappelear, KSI’s senior vice president of condominium operations. “We are offering residents an alternative to switching on the ignition and battling other drivers during the morning and afternoon rush hours, by offering homeowners easy access to public transportation.”
Congestion wastes time, fuel and productivity, according to a recent study by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), a respected transportation research think-tank affiliated with Texas A&M University. Congestion, according to TTI’s 2005 study, causes:
- 3.7 billion hours in travel delay
- 2.3 billion gallons of wasted fuel
- $63 billion worth of wasted fuel
TTI ranks Washington’s metropolitan area the third worst in the country in traffic congestion behind Los Angeles and San Francisco. Congestion in the metropolitan area results in:
- 145 million hours of annual delay
- $2.5 billion in wasted fuel
Navigating Washington and its suburbs is often a frustrating experience. The average motorist spends 69 hours a year in traffic jams making commuter rail and bus lines a popular alternative. Average weekday ridership on Washington’s Metro rose more than 7 percent to 1.142 million in 2005, up from 1.063 million a year earlier. And Metro officials are budgeting for even more riders as the rail and bus system expands.
As a complement to public transit, KSI residents will be offered Flexcar, which allows KSI homeowners to avoid the unnecessary expense of owning a car by sharing automobiles with other members of the KSI community. The program reduces demand for parking on city streets and saves KSI homeowners money on maintenance and fuel. It costs about $6,890 a year on average to operate a car, according to the American Automobile Association. What’s more, Flexcar is easier on the environment and roadways. Each Flexcar that is in use reduces traffic by six cars, according to the Transportation Research Board. KSI expects strong demand for Flexcar services as new residents take ownership of their homes starting in 2006.
KSI’s commuter friendly neighborhoods in Virginia include: Midtown Alexandria Station, West Village of Shirlington, The Residences of Lorton Station, Harbor Station, Potomac Club and Midtown Reston Town Center.
KSI is also building two condominium communities along public transportation routes in Maryland: Midtown Bethesda North, which is located between the Twinbrook and Whiteflint Metro stations and Midtown Largo Station, which is located next to the Largo Town Center Metro.
Additional information about each community can be found below:
Midtown Alexandria Station—, Midtown Alexandria is directly adjacent to the Huntington Metro Station. Comprised of 369 high-rise condominiums, the first residents will move in 2007. These homes are near Old Town and Washington, D.C. and are selling from the mid $300s. Sales of Midtown Alexandria condominiums reached $100 million the first four months they were offered to the public. www.midtownalexandria.com
West Village of Shirlington—Located in Arlington with express bus service to the Pentagon City Metro, West Village of Shirlington is undergoing a complete renovation while converting to condominiums. There are 527 condominiums selling from the mid $300’s. www.condosatshirlington.com
The Residences of Lorton Station— Located atop Lorton Station Town Center, directly adjacent to the Lorton Station VRE commuter train, these 32 unique two-story townhomes are selling from the mid $400’s. http://www.lortonstationtowns.com/
Harbor Station—Located in Prince William County with a dedicated VRE Station on site, Harbor Station is a new resort community featuring a destination town center, luxury hotel and conference center, 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course as well as marina and recreation facilities. http://www.harborstation.com/.
Potomac Club—Located one mile from Park and Ride and 1.5 miles from the Rippon Landing VRE station, Prince William County’s Potomac Club is a gated community offering a variety of condominiums and townhomes from the mid $300’s. www.potomacclub.com
Midtown Reston Town Center – Situated near the proposed Dulles Metrorail extension and on an extensive bus service route, Reston Town Center consists of twin 21-story towers with a total of 293 condominiums and 78 loft residences. These condos are selling from the mid $600’s www.midtownreston.com
Midtown Bethesda North— Located two blocks from the Twinbrook Metro Station in Montgomery County, these 230 high-rise condominiums offer a hotel-style lobby and a rooftop pool and sundeck. These condos are selling from the mid $500’s. www.midtownbethesda.com
Midtown Largo Station – Directly next to the Largo Town Center Metro Station and just ½ mile from the Beltway, Midtown Largo Station offers 242 new homes in a unique four-story setting. These condos are selling from the high $200s. www.condosatlargo.com
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