Developer sought for affordable housing in Bailey’s Crossroads
Fairfax County plans to issue a request for proposals by the end of 2024 seeking a developer to build affordable housing in Bailey’s Crossroads.
The project would consist of a six-story building with one, two, and three-bedroom units. It would replace the Crossroads Interim Park at 5872 Columbia Pike between Radley Acura and the market-rate Alta Nova apartment building under construction.
The new apartments would be affordable to households with incomes up to 60 percent of the area median income.
At a community meeting on the project on Oct. 24 at the Minnie H. Peyton Community Center, nearby residents got a chance to weigh in on the project.
Marwan Mahmoud of the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Development asked residents to form small groups and discuss what types of indoor and outdoor amenities they would like to see on the property.
Here’s what people said they want: a business center with computers, a swimming pool, a fitness room, a community gathering space, daycare for kids, a laundry room, adequate visitor parking so tenants could have guests, and a safe playground.
Related story: Affordable housing proposed for county-owned property on Columbia Pike
They were also asked about transportation challenges and what needs to be improved.
Among the responses: clearly defined bike lanes, more convenient bus stops, more sidewalks, and pedestrian safety improvements on Leesburg Pike, George Mason Drive, Columbia Pike, and Lacey Boulevard.
Teens from Second Story’s Youth Advisory Council who walk from their homes in Culmore to Justice High School called for wider sidewalks and more security in that area.
The affordable housing project also includes an underground parking garage and a new road connecting the site to Moncure Avenue.
Depending on the outcome of a traffic study, that new road could be connected via another new road to Columbia Pike.
The county would negotiate with the developer on a financing package for the project, said Mark Buenavista, director of the Design, Development, and Construction Division at the housing department.
The county would continue to own the land, he said. The developer could pay a nominal fee for a ground lease and contribute funds for the road improvements, enhanced streetscape, and non-residential component.
Getting from the concept of an affordable housing project to completion could take five or more years, Mahmoud said. That includes determining if a property is suitable for housing, going through a rezoning process, selecting a developer, community engagement, design, site preparation, permitting, construction, and occupancy.
11 responses to “Developer sought for affordable housing in Bailey’s Crossroads”
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Didn’t Jimenez want to spread affordable housing projects across the county and avoid increasing the already high concentration in Mason district? Where does he stand with this project?
For this project and all of the above listed wants it boils down to two key facts. (1) What is the amount of taxpayer funding the Board of Supervisors is willing to pay /finance to meet them. (2) How much can the developer &/or operator charge in rent to cover costs, expenses and have a profit without causing the the building to be neglected or rundown over time (avoiding neglect and keeping the building up should be a priority in any deal). Folks should also except rent increases with time, and not necessarily limited ones given inflation. The more wants that become requirements means more taxpayers money to make this work. Especially since the government is retaining ownership of the land. Additionally, I’m not sure what the “area” is for being affordable for families making up to “60 percent of the area median income” is, but if that is Fairfax County wide that means making just slightly under $85k. Once the Board of Supervisors knows how much taxpayer money they want to spend on this, as well as knowing max rent – then finding a developer/operator should be easy enough unless the economics doesn’t work (most likely scenario given the max rent and wants). Should that be the case then I suspect the Board of Supervisors will either dial back the wants or spend more taxpayer money before they find a developer and move forward on the project (thus making decisions is hard and it takes the Board years). Finally, I pray the Board of Supervisors does not add useless bike lanes in the road on Columbia Pike – one of the few viable north/south roads in and out of Annandale. Widen the sidewalk for those few on bicycles.
I’d prefer the park if this project turns into another Culmore which would mean: more crime and the need for more social services…….very bad idea!
For this project and all of the above listed wants it boils down to two key facts. (1) What is the amount of taxpayer funding the Board of Supervisors is willing to pay /finance to meet them. (2) How much can the developer &/or operator charge in rent to cover costs, expenses and have a profit without causing the the building to be neglected or rundown over time (avoiding neglect and keeping the building up should be a priority in any deal). Folks should also except rent increases with time, and not necessarily limited ones given inflation. The more wants that become requirements means more taxpayers money to make this work. Especially since the government is retaining ownership of the land. Additionally, I’m not sure what the “area” is for being affordable for families making up to “60 percent of the area median income” is, but if that is Fairfax County wide that means making just slightly under $85k. Once the Board of Supervisors knows how much taxpayer money they want to spend on this, as well as knowing max rent – then finding a developer/operator should be easy enough unless the economics doesn’t work (most likely scenario given the max rent and wants). Should that be the case then I suspect the Board of Supervisors will either dial back the wants or spend more taxpayer money before they find a developer and move forward on the project (thus making decisions is hard and it takes the Board years). Finally, I pray the Board of Supervisors does not add useless bike lanes in the road on Columbia Pike – one of the few viable north/south roads in and out of Annandale. Widen the sidewalk for those few on bicycles.
Take by eminent domain some of the houses in McLean and turn them into affordables. Surely the progressives won’t object. Equity man Equity.
Not even funny anymore. Elite Liberals want equity, but not at their expense.
Better to take by eminent domain some of the lakeside houses on Lake Barcroft so the residents of the affordable housing development will have wonderful lake views, and the opportunity to kayak, paddle board, canoe, and swim in Lake Barcroft.
That is what real “equity” looks like.
Another apartment building? Then what are the plans to build new elementary and middle schools in this area? Glen Forest and Parklawn are already bursting at the seams, as is Glasgow. Other areas of the county with schools that aren’t over capacity could be a better opportunity for new affordable housing buildings.
Nothing about this plan makes sense. Let’s start with the fact that the proposed site is adjacent to a new apartment building billing itself as a luxury property. How many people who may choose Alta Nova want affordable housing going up next door? Alta Nova as a “luxury building” was already a stretch given the surrounding neighborhood, but this is a nail in the coffin. Secondly, as others have stated, the schools in the Mason district are overcrowded and disproportionately low income and ESOL. It’s time for the rest of the county to absorb immigrant and low-income populations, or for the county to redirect a lot of school funds to the Mason District to improve the facilities and relieve the overcrowding. Lastly, Fairfax County police need to step up patrolling and prosecution of crimes of all types–theft, drugs, gangs, etc. or the area will slide into mayhem and the tax base will erode.
I agree but sadly I don’t think it will happen. When I have school age children I’ll no longer want to live here because I’ll fear for their safety and quality of education.
Agreed, but the blog does not like to print facts. It’s chronically bias in the wrong direction!
NYC and DC are selling off their low and middle income housing projects as condos or wrecking balls because they cannot afford the upkeep. Many have so much deferred maintenance that their units have fallen into uninhabitable rat holes. Many units in DC have been boarded up.
But Fairfax BoS elites or is it SoBs are so arrogant that they refuse to learn from the misdeeds of others. And that is just plain stupid! Why can we not have a Board of Sensibles instead of a Board of Stupids? Mason needs a sensible housing strategy that is EQUITABLE County wide.
There are numerous age-restricted (senior) affordable complexes in Fairfax County. I guess those are working out okay.