New gateway signage in the works for Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners
New gateway signage will be developed for the Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners Commercial Revitalization District.
The idea is to create a sense of place and branding for the area and encourage redevelopment, says Mike Van Atta, president of the Crossroads + Corners Coalition (C3).
Bailey’s Crossroads already has gateway signs featuring a circus theme, but they are outdated and mostly in a state of disrepair. Seven Corners doesn’t have gateway signs at all.
The project is a collaboration of C3, the Community Revitalization Section (CRS) of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development, and Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez’s office.
CRS has engaged Torti Gallas + Partners and Ashton Design as consultants to develop a concept. That effort will take about six months, says Alex Howle, a planner with CRS.
A similar project was recently completed for the Springfield Commercial Revitalization District.
Participants at a Dec. 5 C3 meeting discussed how to elevate the sense of place for the Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners Commercial Revitalization District so that people approaching the area know they are entering a place with a special identity.
One of the main issues is whether the two areas should be treated as one community with an overarching theme, or two separate communities and whether signage should also identify sub-areas, such as Culmore and Skyline.
Other considerations include the total number and location of the gateway signs, budget constraints, and the types of signs. The project could include signs in road median strips, banners on streetlights, and/or signs on overpasses or the pedestrian bridge over Arlington Boulevard.
At a minimum, there would be four signs, most likely on Leesburg Pike at the entrances to Seven Corners from Falls Church and Bailey’s Crossroads from Alexandria and on Columbia Pike in both directions at the entrances to Bailey’s Crossroads.
The design process will start with a survey to gather input from residents on their visions for the community, Howle said. After the consultants come up with a design concept, there will be additional opportunities for community engagement.
Once the concept is approved, the county will seek resources for implementation.
Van Atta would like to see the branding initiative eventually expand to include better pedestrian connections, murals, and public art.
13 responses to “New gateway signage in the works for Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners”
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Signs won’t distract from horrendous traffic and gang activity.
Waste of money imho
Why THIS???
All of great ideas & efforts won’t do any, when the area has HIGH CRIME rate around clock.
Spend some efforts & funding how to reduce the crime rates in the areas.
This is GREAT news!
Should be treated as two different shopping areas because they are… crossroads looks good and I like to shop there… seven corners needs some sprucing up…. Planters, lighting etc and signage to identify stores on each level and how to navigate between levels. Barnes and noble is lovely but sidewalk is not inviting… people hanging around
Bailey’s and Seven Corners have had a bad reputation since about 1990 or 1995… and it’s getting far worse. I am at a loss as to why or how updated, snazzy signage is supposed to make people want to come? If you put “Compton” in shiny lights, it’s still Compton. If anything, if I see a sign that says “Compton,” I know to leave immediately!
C3 uses all this new age verbiage to describe the area, including Jimenez’s “cultural hub” verbiage. It’s lipstick on a pig, guys. No one believes you.
Absolutely agree. This is a waste of money that could be better spent providing robust social services and job opportunities to residence in the area.
What alternative universe do you people live in?
Where is all this crime you are always complaining about?
I have lived in 22042 and 22041 for a combined 20 years, and shopped at Baileys, Seven Corners, and Skyline even longer, and have /NEVER/ had a problem with crime or feeling safe.
What are you folks talking about?
I’ve lived here over 40 years. Off the top of my head, recently:
-Multiple vehicle thefts and home invasions on my street
-Package thefts basically every week
-Rape in the park .25 miles from my home last year
-Murder at local ATM
-Kidnapping and murder at ihop
-Gang activity and constant shoplifting at 7-11
-Gun drawn at me in Seven Corners parking lot
-Dog walks consist of attempting to avoid homeless feces in the park, and broken beer bottles everywhere
-Double shooting at the Bowlero just the other day, as reported by this blog
-Homeless sleeping at bus stops everywhere
-Crazy people on drugs jaywalking and even attacking cars at Patrick Henry and 7, where police cleared homeless encampment due to fighting and drugs
-Mattresses and couches dumped on my street
-People driving 60+ mph in 35 mph zones
-Home Depot has locked up 1/2 the store due to shoplifting
-Saw a man urinating in plain view by the Barnes and noble last month, next to spray painted walkway
-If you follow police reports, multiple crimes committed at Seven Corners shopping center every day
-Shooting at Baileys last night (get on Neighbors by Ring)
Typical government response to horrendous traffic, crime and deteriorating neighborhoods. Rather than increasing police patrols and arresting criminals, rather than improving blighted shopping centers and vacant businesses, let’s spend money on pointless unneeded signage that will make the county and district officials feel good — while everyone else continues to suffer. This is why we’re moving out of northern Virginia. As long as leftist morons run things the area is headed to be like blighted Detroit.
More unnecessary spending. Tax and spend. How about using that money to hire some traffic enforcement officers.
Maybe we’d have fewer pedestrian accidents. Time for another Party to try running the County.
This is a non-profit organization. If folks are so up in arms about these corridors, what can be done to improve them? Good to put people’s fury into action. It looks like it’s a non profit organization and one could potentially volunteer to help. I personally don’t see or perceive these areas as “crime ridden.”
My goodness gracious. There is no such thing as a non-profit. Literally my 12 year old knows that.