Planning underway for affordable housing in Bailey’s Crossroads
The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) is moving forward with pre-development activities for an affordable housing project in Bailey’s Crossroads.
The property, at 5831 Columbia Pike, between Radley Accura and the Alta Nova apartments, is currently occupied by Crossroads Interim Park, which was meant to be temporary until the site is developed.
FCRHA and its development partners – NHP Foundation and Gibson Spyre LLC – will study the physical characteristics of the property, conduct community outreach, and determine what type of housing and amenities the site could support.
The agency and its partners are considering 160 units, although the size of the building, number of units, and the levels of affordability will be determined as planning continues. Development is expected to take several years.
Related story: Developer sought for affordable housing in Bailey’s Crossroads
At a community meeting in October 2024, residents were asked to consider what types of community-serving amenities they would like to see in the new building. Community engagement activities would continue throughout the development process.
The goal of any community space in the building “would be to anchor essential services onsite through a nonprofit service hub, such as education, healthcare, or workforce development services,” FCRHA says. “The non-residential space would support long-term investment in the neighborhood, as both housing and services would be brought together in a single space.”
“During community outreach,” the agency continues, “the development team will also explore ways to leverage affordable housing as an anchor for broader revitalization of the site.” This could include pedestrian improvements. inclusive affordable housing for older adults, outdoor gathering spaces, and transportation improvements. A future connection between Seminary Road and Columbia Pike has been under consideration for years.
Related story: Leasing underway at Alta Nova apartments
Northern VA needs affordable housing, but the solution is not to stuff it all into the Mason District which already has the highest proportion of ESL and FARMS kids in the school pyramid. Hiding poverty in the Southeast corner of the county is a dirty, backroom deal made possible only by the high number of non-English speaking residents who are working overtime to stay solvent and who don’t typically attend the Supervisors meetings. Jimenez is part of the problem. We need more more mixed income and luxury housing in Baileys to keep it from sliding further into a ghetto.
Why don’t they build affordable housing projects like this in McLean/Tysons?
Agree with the above that Fairfax needs to look elsewhere for their affordable housing, especially with the FCPS boundary adjustments further highlighting that our schools here are bursting. Find sites for affordable housing out near the new Western High School.
I thought the plan for that area was to extend Seminary Road out to the intersection at Columbia Pike and the entrance to the shops with Trader Joes and Best Buy?
I also agree with the comments above. Why is all the low income housing being stuffed into Mason District? It is not equitable for those of us who live in the area. I am including the people who live in the low income housing already in and around Culmore when I say that. We should see development that includes all types of housing across the county. Taking the majority of the low income residents of this county and packing them into Bailey’s Crossroads, and packing their kids into the schools there is not good for anyone.
I did the math. There are 49 schools in the FCPS system where all students at those specific schools get free breakfast and lunch, Schools With Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), That means the entire school population could qualify for free or reduced price meals or FARMS. Of those those 49 schools. 18 are in Mason District. That means that 36.7% of the CEP schools are in Mason District. The overall percentage of students in the FCPS system that qualify for free or reduced price meals (FARMS ) is roughly 36%. Guess what Mason District has its fair share. Big surprise. Not saying that there may be a higher concentration of ESL students or that everyone in Mason District is on an equal plane but immigrants are not the problem. Safe, affordable housing for these children and their families is a problem.
As it did a few years ago, the County also proposes locating community services in that space. They should not be in this commercial area; this area should be for businesses. Nor can the economy and education systems of Baileys Crossroads and Seven Corners thrive if the County continues to make the area its “go to” spot for affordable housing, community services, and stores like vape shops – even vape shops located a stone’s throw from an elementary school. All this would never happen near the County’s Government Center in Fairfax, to be sure.