Buyer sought for Annandale property
There is a lot of interest in the vacant property on Columbia Pike next to the Giant parking lot. But don’t expect anything to happen any time soon.
The 1-acre site is available for a ground lease or sale for $3.5 million, says Craig Cheney with KLNB. The property is zoned C-8, which means it’s suitable for various commercial uses.
Related story: Fairfax County sues owners of burned buildings on Columbia Pike
Four buildings on the site had been destroyed by a fire in March 2023. They were demolished last spring after Fairfax County filed suit against the owner. The two remaining buildings are vacant and boarded up.
Cheney says he’s gotten “a bunch of calls for a lot of different uses,” including a fast-food restaurant, carwash, bank, and auto parts store.
“Going through the county approval process for a new development is costly and time-consuming, often lasting years,” he says. “Despite many prospects being interested in the location, many do not have the stomach or means to go through the painstaking process to get the necessary approvals for their intended use.”
Related story: Demolition underway on remains of burned buildings in Annandale
10 responses to “Buyer sought for Annandale property”
Leave a reply
Thank you for reporting on the current status of this vacant land in the heart of Annandale. I understand from your reporting it will take time before some new use is made of this site.
As other commenters have noted, it would be nice if something could be done to “beautify” the site while it remains in its present state. However, I acknowledge not knowing whether the current owners can be forced to do (or pay for) the beautifying.
I don’t think Fairfax County Government should pay for it because, as noted in other columns, the County should be careful in how it spends its revenue.
I don’t see why the county would be concerned with spending tax payers money. They’ve shown little constraint up so far.
It could become an art maker’s site similar to the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, which brought economic stability to Olde Town. Artists need space to work and this area needs economic viability with some kind of coherence.
Love Torpedo Factory but do think your economic stability statement is a stretch.
We don’t have as many vacant storefronts as before (commercial rents may not be as high as other submarkets). If businesses want to come, they’ll come.
Car wash, fast food. Bank, auto parts store. All of these are in abundance within 1 mile of the site. Let’s get creative with upscale apts and restaurants and shops. Emulate Arlington’s success stories. No more “junk” businesses. No more atrocious architecture aka the new apt bldg at BXRoads. Get the County of its slow ass and get a project on the boards. Where’s Jimenez?
I agree however I feel like Annandale needs some major sort of transit investment for any development like that to incur. If only they added a Columbia pike route through the metro so we could finally make this underserved transit dependent area more served by transit.
Fairfax county Board of Supervisors often say the want more business to help make the tax base more diverse and less dependent on homeowners real estate taxes. Unfortunately, this statement from the story is true, “Despite many prospects being interested in the location, many do not have the stomach or means to go through the painstaking process to get the necessary approvals for their intended use.” I personally know a small business owner/entrepreneur that was trying to open a business in the county and the “red tape” and cost quickly grew so much he abandoned the effort and went to the City of Falls Church that supported small business development. That owner now has a thriving business that has expanded to a new second location in the City of Fairfax (which is also supportive of business development). The Fairfax county Board of Supervisors needs to make changes in the approval process that actually helps and encourages businesses development instead of discouraging businesses.
This area of Annandale has so much paved areas and other impervious surfaces. Wouldn’t it be great if this ugly paved lot could become a small park, a green oasis with trees and a few picnic tables that could accommodate carry out from nearby restaurants?
And be overtaken by the homeless. Great!
That’s a wonderful idea and might make at least a small dent in the heat island, but it’s not profitable, so don’t hold your breath!