Why downtown Mclean is such a drab?

[Anonymous]

Because it's a town full of snooty rich politicians. They aren't into small town events in McLean.

You have to move to Vienna for that fun vibe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because it's a town full of snooty rich politicians. They aren't into small town events in McLean.

You have to move to Vienna for that fun vibe.

The local politicians live for the opportunity to show up and shake hands every year at McLean Day, which is normally held in Lewinsville Park every May.

And McLean has a community center just like Vienna does - residents pay a surcharge if they live in the county's McLean Tax District, but the surcharge is much less than the additional taxes those living in the Town of Vienna pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you want that McLean lacks

As a resident, I am fine with the grocery stores (Balducci's, Giant, Organic Butcher), the CVS is ok and meets basic needs, we like the Kids Toy Store and we really enjoy having the Total Wine. But I would like some better restaurants and more outdoor social areas where families and singles could enjoy spending time. We like Aracosia, J Gilberts, Masala. But most of the other true restaurants are just ok.

I don't expect them to turn downtown McLean into a Mosiac district, but something closer to that would be great. If you spend time in places like downtown Falls Church, Vienna, and Mosiac you see a lot of people out walking around and being social at scale (families, people on dates...), outdoor spaces designed to be interesting and condensed. McLean has a decent coffee shop, and places like Sweet Leaf lean in the right direction IMO. But in general things are spread out and tired looking. The multiple old fashioned little strip malls, ie. Balducci's, Masala, McLean Hardware, Walgreens, and Lacrosse shop.. just aren't an attraction.

Ultimately, since the age demographic skews wealthier/older, I assume that's why the residents don't have interest in more interesting restaurants, beer gardens, outdoor dining, playgrounds and a better social scene etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because it's a town full of snooty rich politicians. They aren't into small town events in McLean.

You have to move to Vienna for that fun vibe.

+1

Agree. Younger, more fun population.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you want that McLean lacks

As a resident, I am fine with the grocery stores (Balducci's, Giant, Organic Butcher), the CVS is ok and meets basic needs, we like the Kids Toy Store and we really enjoy having the Total Wine. But I would like some better restaurants and more outdoor social areas where families and singles could enjoy spending time. We like Aracosia, J Gilberts, Masala. But most of the other true restaurants are just ok.

I don't expect them to turn downtown McLean into a Mosiac district, but something closer to that would be great. If you spend time in places like downtown Falls Church, Vienna, and Mosiac you see a lot of people out walking around and being social at scale (families, people on dates...), outdoor spaces designed to be interesting and condensed. McLean has a decent coffee shop, and places like Sweet Leaf lean in the right direction IMO. But in general things are spread out and tired looking. The multiple old fashioned little strip malls, ie. Balducci's, Masala, McLean Hardware, Walgreens, and Lacrosse shop.. just aren't an attraction.

Ultimately, since the age demographic skews wealthier/older, I assume that's why the residents don't have interest in more interesting restaurants, beer gardens, outdoor dining, playgrounds and a better social scene etc.

+1

Mclean is where fun goes to have a slow, painful death.

[Anonymous]

McLean is for people who want an easy commute and good schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:McLean is for people who want an easy commute and good schools

Not the only place for that, thankfully.

[Anonymous]

I mean, it's right next to DC and Tysons. Is there any reason to think there would be much demand for a downtown area full of crap?

[Anonymous]

Where is “downtown” McLean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where is “downtown” McLean?

the general area surround the intersection of old dominion and chain bridge road

[Anonymous]

This thread obviously was started just to bash McLean again. There is literally nothing posted here that hasn't been posted 10X before, except for the information about the county's amendment of the comprehensive plan in June 2021.

Meanwhile, houses routinely continue to appreciate and sell for over $2M and more. Someone is more than satisfied with what McLean currently offers and the slow pace at which it may eventually offer something more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, it's right next to DC and Tysons. Is there any reason to think there would be much demand for a downtown area full of crap?

There would be a downtown area full of stuff just like in Vienna if the retail in McLean were along 123 (Dolley Madison) rather than off a spur (Chain Bridge).

One of the CIA's conditions to moving to McLean in the 60s was that a spur be built so that there would be less commercial/retail activity close to the Agency. So the retail in McLean is largely for locals, while the thousands of commuters on 123 drive by all the retail in Vienna. So there's more stuff there, but also considerably more congestion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you want that McLean lacks

As a resident, I am fine with the grocery stores (Balducci's, Giant, Organic Butcher), the CVS is ok and meets basic needs, we like the Kids Toy Store and we really enjoy having the Total Wine. But I would like some better restaurants and more outdoor social areas where families and singles could enjoy spending time. We like Aracosia, J Gilberts, Masala. But most of the other true restaurants are just ok.

I don't expect them to turn downtown McLean into a Mosiac district, but something closer to that would be great. If you spend time in places like downtown Falls Church, Vienna, and Mosiac you see a lot of people out walking around and being social at scale (families, people on dates...), outdoor spaces designed to be interesting and condensed. McLean has a decent coffee shop, and places like Sweet Leaf lean in the right direction IMO. But in general things are spread out and tired looking. The multiple old fashioned little strip malls, ie. Balducci's, Masala, McLean Hardware, Walgreens, and Lacrosse shop.. just aren't an attraction.

Ultimately, since the age demographic skews wealthier/older, I assume that's why the residents don't have interest in more interesting restaurants, beer gardens, outdoor dining, playgrounds and a better social scene etc.

+1

Mclean is where fun goes to have a slow, painful death.

I thought people saved that for the University of Chicago, but whatever.

[Anonymous]

Ooo, it must be terrible! Why do so many people want to live there? Why do the houses sell the day they hit the market?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you want that McLean lacks

As a resident, I am fine with the grocery stores (Balducci's, Giant, Organic Butcher), the CVS is ok and meets basic needs, we like the Kids Toy Store and we really enjoy having the Total Wine. But I would like some better restaurants and more outdoor social areas where families and singles could enjoy spending time. We like Aracosia, J Gilberts, Masala. But most of the other true restaurants are just ok.

I don't expect them to turn downtown McLean into a Mosiac district, but something closer to that would be great. If you spend time in places like downtown Falls Church, Vienna, and Mosiac you see a lot of people out walking around and being social at scale (families, people on dates...), outdoor spaces designed to be interesting and condensed. McLean has a decent coffee shop, and places like Sweet Leaf lean in the right direction IMO. But in general things are spread out and tired looking. The multiple old fashioned little strip malls, ie. Balducci's, Masala, McLean Hardware, Walgreens, and Lacrosse shop.. just aren't an attraction.

Ultimately, since the age demographic skews wealthier/older, I assume that's why the residents don't have interest in more interesting restaurants, beer gardens, outdoor dining, playgrounds and a better social scene etc.

I think you have to look for small victories when you can find them. It was nice when Cava and Chopt moved into the strip mall near McLean Hardware. Some of the tucked-away restaurants, like the Chaing Mai Thai place, are great.

Santini's is a popular place for high school kids to hang out after practices, and I'm happy they opened a place in McLean.

Apparently, the space where the old Safeway was located is going to reopen with not just the Lidl, but also the relocated Pulcinella's (not special, but still a good family restaurant), a Matchbox, and a new burger joint that will be more affordable than the old one off Old Dominion.

The Montgomery family has shown time and time again they don't care whether residents want them to spiff up their holdings, and the beer gardens are always going to be found elsewhere, but I'd expect the area along Elm, in particular, to eventually be more inviting.