Sustainable Access Score
B
The Potomac Yard Harris Teeter is one of the more unique grocery stores with regard to accessing it from anyway other than a car. As the store itself is orientated toward its underground parking garage, getting to the store's entrance doesn't feel either intuitive or inviting.
The sidewalks and trails leading to this location are all wide and in good condition. Although having to cross Richmond Highway on foot will take a long time due to the sheer enormity of the 9 lane wide roadway. There are a couple of ways to get into the store on foot. But either way you must pass through odd liminal spaces where it may feel like you are somewhere you are not supposed to be. First there is a nondescript pedestrian entrance next to the garage entrance on S. Glebe Road. However it is not step-free as you will need to step up off the sidewalk and follow the winding dedicated path to the store entrance inside the parking garage. The second pedestrian entrance up in the semi-circular retail plaza just to the west and is entirely accessible. However it requires using an elevator or stairs to get to the store one level down.
One can access the store on bike from the Four Mile Run Trail or the on-street bike lanes on Potomac Ave. Several wave bike racks are located within the parking garage to the left of the store entrance. There are two entrances to the garage, one off of S. Glebe Road and the other off of Potomac Ave near the switchback ramps down to Four Mile Run Trail. Be aware of the very steep ramp down to the parking level from the Potomac Ave garage entrance. While the other garage entrance at S. Glebe is nearly level, there is a street median that prevents anyone traveling east on S. Glebe from accessing that garage entrance. Also this entrance has a control gate. However, most bikes should be able to go around the arm without issue. A Capital Bikeshare station is located nearby at the intersection of S. Glebe Road and Potomac Ave.
The store is located across from the South Glebe transitway station with Metroway (MW1) service that travels north to Crystal City & Pentagon City and south to two Alexandria Metro stations, Potomac Yard & Braddock Ave. There is a crosswalk that leads directly from the station to the store location that most will find acceptable due to this segment of S. Glebe Road being relatively quiet. However, signalized crosswalks across S. Glebe Road are also located at both Richmond Highway and Potomac Ave.
Walking - 4 points (A)
Entrance directly from sidewalk (don't have to cross parking lot) (2 points)
Have to cross parking lot to enter, but there's a dedicated place to walk (striped walkway, etc) (1 point)
Adjacent sidewalk is even, comfortably wide, has curb ramps where necessary, and has street trees and street lights (1 point)
Not adjacent to a 4+ lane road, or if it is then there is a controlled crossing of that road on the same block (signal, stop sign or HAWK) (1 point)
Biking & Scooting - 3 points (B)
Nearby bike racks (1 point)
Nearby bike racks have 2 points of contact for each bike & enough clearance to be easily usable (no wave racks, no wheelbender racks, no racks jammed right up against a building) (1 point)
Nearby Capital Bikeshare Station (1 point)
Adjacent protected bike lane, trail, or quiet neighborhood street (1 point)
Transit - 3 points (B)
Nearby bus stop (1 point)
Nearby bus stop has a shelter and a bench (1 point)
Served by a Bus Line that comes at least every 15 minutes and runs 7 days per week (1 point)
Served by at least 2 bus lines with different destinations (1 point)