Light Up Rosslyn to Get 'More Life,' Scrap Giant Light Switch

Astute holiday calendar watchers may have noticed that Light Up Rosslyn, an Arlington tradition entering its 20th year, has been conspicuously absent from lists of other Christmastime celebrations.

But don't worry, Rosslyn's skyline will still get the full holiday treatment.

Buildings are scheduled to light up their rooftops on Dec. 5. And office and residential complexes already are collecting clothing for the Arlington Street People's Assistance Network, or A-SPAN, and will do so through Dec. 7 — another part of the annual event.

But don't expect to see a big green board with a giant light switch on it this year.

Organizers with the Rosslyn Business Improvement District have spent the last two months "reconfiguring" the event and developing a new holiday package, BID spokeswoman Lee Anne McLarty told Patch.

The organization hopes to announce its plans early next week.

"It's a good event," McLarty said. "We wanted to put a little more life into it."

Essentially, the BID is looking at hosting a pop-up holiday event that features festive activities for a day or two — something that's different than the Light Up Rosslyn of old but has "that same sense of community that Light Up Rosslyn really brought out," McLarty said.

The changes to Light Up Rosslyn reflect changes in the community and in the BID itself.

In September, Mary-Claire Burick was appointed the BID's new executive director, bringing two decades of operation management experience with her from Allbritton Communications and other major broadcast media organizations in the Washington metro area.

The entire area is being reexamined as part of a comprehensive, year-long planning process under the auspices of Realize Rosslyn.

And early next month, the BID plans to roll out a rebranding campaign that ties several threads together and presents a strategy for moving Rosslyn forward.

"It is more than just a new logo. It's about how we're living and breathing in the Rosslyn space," McLarty said.

"We're using (Realize Rosslyn) as our map … to create pedestrian and social experiences on the ground for the people who are living and working here."

Expect new banners for construction fences and street poles, new decals on trash bins and new Rosslyn ambassador uniforms.

But also expect a plan that addresses the lack of retail in the Rosslyn area — something the new holiday event will tie into as well, McLarty said.

Two new skyscrapers are planned for Wilson Boulevard, one of which Monday Properties plans to have anchored by a grocery store, and the massive Central Place development near the Rosslyn Metro Station will feature first- and second-floor retail, among several other projects. And don't forget the new Ben's Chili Bowl a bit further west.

Part of the BID's job will be to fill the gap in retail options while the larger projects are built, McLarty said.