Fairfax County officials say the three planned Metro stations in Northern Virginia will ease traffic congestion and spur economic development.
The Board of Supervisors voted in favor of a new tax district which will help pay for the Metro stations. Several landowners had pushed for a new property tax to raise $330 million to extend the rail system from Reston to Dulles International Airport.
Chairman Sharon Bulova says having mass transit options will reduce traffic on the roads. But the stations will also encourage economic development. "It's very desirable for people to want to live and locate their businesses near a Metro stop," says Bulova. "It increases property value."
The tax district plan calls for an initial rate of 5 cents for every $100 of commercial property value. The rate will increase by 5 cents a year to 20 cents in 2013.
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