Construction to start next year on an apartment building on Columbia Pike
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| An illustration of Alta Crossroads. [Wood Partners] |
Construction of a long-planned apartment project on Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads could start next year. The Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning for the project four years ago.
If the design, permitting, and construction processes go smoothly, the building could be completed in 2024.
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| The project will replace these industrial buildings as seen from Moncure Avenue. The concrete pad in the foreground is the former site of the Bailey’s Community Shelter. |
Representatives of the developer – Ben Lazarus, managing director of Wood Partners, and Mark Viani, an attorney with Bean Kinney & Korman – described the project at a May 20 meeting of the Bailey’s Crossroads/7 Corners Revitalization Corporation.
The 378,000-square-foot building, called Alta Crossroads, will have 351 units, parking in the center, and an enhanced streetscape along Columbia Pike. The units will have one or two bedrooms. There will also be three three-bedroom townhouses for rent and a pocket park.
Related story: Board of Supervisors approves Columbia Crossroads project in Bailey’s Crossroads
The building will have a gym, but no ground-floor retail as previously discussed. “That was the trend pre-pandemic,” Lazarus said. “It’s very difficult to do retail now.” Besides, there’s already plenty of retail in the area, including a shopping center across the street with Trader Joe’s.
The developer will put in a stoplight on Columbia Pike at Moncure Avenue, which is expected to be approved by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Fairfax County will put in a new road behind the property, which will connect with Seminary Road.
The units will be priced to attract mid-level professionals who don’t want to pay more to live in Clarendon or D.C., Lazarus said. He calls it a “value-oriented play.” Twelve percent of the units will be “workforce housing,” priced below the market rate.
Wood Partners will manage the property.
i hope this means that the industrial site that says DMV and that has huge reels of cables is going. These vacant sites have been an eyesore for years. Disappointed about the first floor not having retail, but happy and hopeful that this will not turn into another Penny Gross Section 8 development.
What is an enhanced streetscape? It’s still going to have the fumes and noise of Columbia Pike stroad nearby.
The point of mixed use retail is to lower vehicle usage and replace it with pedestrian or cycling trips. The nearby retail has a massive parking lot that encourages car usage even for short trips. I haven’t had to cross the intersection to the shopping center in years. What is the wait like for pedestrians and cyclists? I think it should have smarter sensors and prioritize pedestrians and cyclists. Also, I would consider eliminating the left turn on red at the shopping centers exit at the Columbia Pike intersection that crosses over the crosswalk to reduce the chances of pedestrians getting hit.
Also, the other point of mixed use is to have third places where local residents can walk to, hang out, and mingle. Does the nearby retail provide that function?
I can see what the developer gained from eliminating retail, but what was the benefit to the community?
I'm glad to see the former homeless shelter is gone. I agree with 5/21 3:53 as well.
I agree with the two previous posters, but feel that after years of sitting on this project and the parcel being right on the crossroads, retail shouldn't be optional. Penny, make it happen! Just kidding, it's not an unneeded government building or a forest to bulldoze. Too soon?
Agree with all posts above. Baileys does not need to be the Social Welfare HQ of Fairfax County. Penny get real and help spur our commercial growth and build upon the strong retail district that Baileys has been over the years. Us tax payers do not want any more of your social programs in the Baileys Crossroads commercial district. The new homeless center is more than enough; a social services headquarters would overwhelm the area with more socially needy folks and scare the strong retail that is hanging on away. What does it take to get that imbedded in your headset?