Loudoun/Dulles Corridor (cont.)

Guess who’s taking the Silver Line? Comstock Partners director Maggie Parker says 20% of inbound riders at Wiehle-Reston East Station are coming from Prince Georges County. The line is seeing a total of 9,950 boardings per day with about 20k people riding. It’s one of several amenities making the Dulles Corridor attractive to tenants and investors. Maggie says ridership is strong at Wiehle because of its parking and bus network – 60 buses go through per hour. 

Herndon mayor Lisa Merkel is hoping riders, especially tourists coming from Dulles, will stop at the only official town (with a mayor and council) on the Silver Line. Herndon rezoned land around the stop and started approving projects in its downtown to prepare for the station's opening in 2019. Lisa says she’s worked with the community, along with the town council, to stress that urban neighborhoods help build community. Some residents have been concerned that Herndon would lose its charm. 

The Dulles Corridor is also getting renewed attention from tenants. EDGE Commercial Real Estate SVP Scott Rabin says he’s seeing companies moving from Maryland to Virginia for its friendlier business environment. And they're even moving from nearby submarkets. He worked on a lease in Tysons for a company moving from Fairfax. He expects the Silver Line to increase this trend.

Many of the companies growing and looking for space are cybersecurity firms, says Brandywine Realty Trust director Jerry Kilkenny. He's also seeing more redevelopment projects trying to create a live-work environment. His company has been investing in adding amenities to existing office parks and flagging office products in the firm’s portfolio that have the ability to add residential.