Challenges Ahead for Tyson's Corner To Become Livable City

"The transformation of Tysons Corner from a car-dominated tangle of offices, malls and auto dealers into a livable city will start moving ahead in the coming weeks.

Fairfax County leaders and landowners are unveiling sweeping proposals to build densely packed high-rises, miles of new streets, and enough parks, schools, police stations and firehouses to serve an entirely new place.

The results could determine the future not only of Virginia's mightiest jobs hub, but also what happens across the country. Urban-renewal leaders are looking to Tysons as a model.

The plans come at a make-or-break time. Landowners and developers are ready to invest, but they say that if they are not given latitude to build more densely, they will redevelop under existing rules -- promising more of the same auto-dependent, suburban sprawl."