Alexandria launches new planning process for Landmark Mall

Landmark Mall seen from a Ferris wheel.

The City of Alexandria is officially launching a “Landmark Mall Re-Planning Process” with a community meeting Nov. 14, 7-9 p.m., in the Cameron Station Great Room, 200 Cameron Station Blvd.

The redevelopment of the mall property has been identified as a priority in the Fiscal Year 2019 Long-Range Planning Work Plan approved by the City Council.

The new planning process will build from the existing community vision, established in the 2009 Landmark/Van Dorn Corridor Plan, for transforming Landmark Mall into a mixed-use center with multifamily housing, retail, transit, and open spaces.

While most of the 2009 plan elements will remain the same, the City of Alexandria states, the upcoming community process will consider some refinements, such as new uses, more flexibility in uses, and policies recently approved by the city to promote traffic safety and multimodal transportation.

This planning effort will result in the consideration of a master plan amendment to the 2009 Landmark/Van Dorn Corridor Plan, which serves as the guide for future development.

Sears is the only store open on the Landmark Mall property. The Howard Hughes Corp., which owns the rest of the mall, is in the process of purchasing the Sears building from Seritage Growth Properties.

As a result, Howard Hughes is redrafting its plans for a mixed-use development to include the entire site. There were discussions this summer about the possibility of relocating Inova Alexandria Hospital to that site, but nothing has been officially announced.

Part of the former Macy’s department store is being used as a temporary homeless shelter while a new facility is being built in Alexandria to house the Carpenter’s Shelter. There was a lot of activity at the lower level of Macy’s this summer as the mall was used as a location for the “Wonder Woman” sequel. The release date for movie has been pushed back to summer 2020.

Additional opportunities for community engagement on the Landmark Mall planning process include an open house on Dec. 12, 7-9 p.m., at Brandywine Living (5550 Cardinal Place, Alexandria); a workshop on Jan. 26; and a meeting on Feb. 27. More details on those sessions will be announced later.