What is Happening in the Other Revitalization Districts
Outside of Reston, Tysons, and Merrifield, precious little.

Reston and Tysons:  A significant number of redevelopment proposals have been submitted in the Reston TSAs since the adoption of the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. (influenced by the extension of the Silverline Metrorail to Dulles). There are currently 21 zoning cases pending within the Dulles Corridor. These range in size from 1.5 to 47 acres. The majority of the requests are for mixed-use developments which, if approved, could result in more than 1,393,000 square feet of non-residential uses and 14,364,000 square feet of residential development.

Over the past year, Highgate at The Mile (Tysons), a residential building in the North Central District, was delivered and is currently leasing. Three additional buildings are presently under construction, including the Capital One Headquarters and seven major zoning cases are pending within Tysons, which range in size from 1.29 acres to 38.83 acres. If approved, these applications could result in a 5,363,000 square feet of non-residential uses and 8,663,000 square feet of residential development..

Merrifield:  A significant portion of the Plan’s vision has been realized over the past 16 years. Mixed-use residential buildings have infilled around the Metro station, including the redevelopment of the WMATA property at the station. The development of the Mosaic District has achieved the vision of a town center for this area, with its mix of uses and network of new local streets, park spaces, and year-round activities.

McLean:  On November 11, 2016, the Board adopted a Plan Amendment that established a new 7.4 acre, high density residential node in the McLean Commercial Revitalization District (CRD). The Plan’s new recommendations are intended to further the county’s economic strategy and the continued revitalization of the McLean CRD by increasing the planned intensity of properties along Beverly Road to a 3.0 FAR. As a result, properties in the McLean CRD are no longer subject to recent changes to the Code of Virginia that restrict the offering or acceptance of proffers related to new residential development. Being able to demand proffers is the only reason for this zoning change.  With this added cost burden, attracting quality developers becomes far more difficult and uncertain.  No takers to date.

7 Corners/Bailey’s Crossroads:  The Arts Council of Fairfax County and other community partners, brought a temporary public art project to the heart of Seven Corners for six weeks. The project was installed on the corner plaza of the Bank of America property at 6307 Arlington Boulevard.  The installation, which is the first public art project in Seven Corners, featured a daytime and night-time presence, providing an interactive component to engage the community featuring photographs of community members.  Further art installations will be welcome throughout the county as long as they are largely privately funded and not charged to the overly burdened county tax payer or developer as a proffer condition.  Quality developers have been exhaustively difficult to attract to the Mason District Revitalization Zones because of the extraordinarily high cost of land.  Very little, and nothing of note, has developed in these three zones nor is it likely to do so if developers are hit with overreaching proffers rendering development a dead financial loss.  The Arts Council needs to look for their grant funding in the private sector through private patronage, and not by placing demands on the tax payer or developers in Revitalization Zones.  This would be one bridge too far!

Springfield:  A new and innovative commuter parking garage is coming to downtown Springfield. In July 2017, the Board approved design plans for the six level, 1,100 space parking garage, to be located at 7033 Old Keene Mill Road. The ground floor is designed to accommodate special events, such as a farmer’s market, during off-peak hours. A 5,000 square foot portion of the upper deck will be a plaza that can be used for community events.  A 200-foot-long pedestrian bridge over Old Keene Mill Road will connect the garage to Springfield Plaza and nearby bus stops, and will function as a gateway to Springfield. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2019, with completion by early 2022.

Richmond Highway:  Embark Richmond Highway is a multi-faceted project that includes widening of Route 1, planning for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that will connect the Huntington Metrorail station to the Richmond Highway Corridor, a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for areas around the BRT stations, and policy guidance for the eventual extension of Metrorail from Huntington to Hybla Valley.

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