Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Alexandria leaders view maintenance problems at Southern Towers

During a tour of Southern Towers, tenants showed City of Alexandria officials why they’ve been complaining about the landlord, the CIM Group. Tenants invited the officials into their apartments to show them broken appliances, mold, and holes in walls. They spoke about rent increases; infestations of mice, bedbugs, and roaches; leaky pipes; broken elevators; new … Continued

Southern Towers tenants charge landlord with exploitive practices

Despite numerous complaints, criticism by members of Congress, and negative press, tenants say CIM Group is continuing to allow poor conditions at Southern Towers. African Communities Together (ACT), Tenants and Workers United, tenants, community partners, and faith leaders staged a protest Aug. 29 on the third anniversary of CIM Group’s purchase of the five-building apartment … Continued

Apartments would displace The Block

The Eastgate mixed-use development proposed for John Marr Drive in Annandale will have 280 apartments, ground-floor retail, and an above-ground garage. Land use attorney Scott Adams of McGuire Woods presented an update on the project at the July 25 meeting of the Mason District Land Use Committee. Adams represents Insight Property Group which is developing … Continued

Sens. Warner and Kaine condemn Southern Towers owner for predatory practices

Tenants’ complaints about increasing costs and shoddy maintenance at the Southern Towers apartments are finally getting some traction. On June 26, African Communities Together (ACT) chartered a truck to circle Alexandria with messages calling for “safe, affordable, and dignified housing” for Southern Towers residents. The next day, Virginia’s two senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine … Continued

Planning Commission recommends approval of zMod despite widespread opposition

The Fairfax County Planning Commission on May 3 voted unanimously to recommend the Board of Supervisors approve an overhaul of the county’s zoning ordinance known as zMod. The Planning Commission also agreed to have its Land Use Process Review Committee look at some of the issues raised by residents during the public hearing, with the … Continued

Construction underway on apartment project in Bailey’s Crossroads

Construction is underway on a five-story apartment building on Columbia Pike between Moncure Avenue and Radley Acura in Bailey’s Crossroads. The Alta Crossroads project, developed by Wood Partners, will have 361 apartments and three townhouses. Construction is expected to take two years, with completion expected in 2025, said Ben Lazarus, managing director at Wood Partners, … Continued

Board of Supervisors approves affordable housing preservation policy

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last week approved an amendment to the county’s Comprehensive Plan aimed at preserving existing affordable, multifamily rental housing. The amendment was passed on a 9-1 vote with only Supervisor Pat Herrity (Springfield) voting against it. The amendment sets a goal of “no net loss of affordable units to the … Continued

Planning Commission rejects development proposal for Little River Turnpike

The Fairfax County Planning Commission rejected a site-specific plan amendment nomination for a mixed-use development on Little River Turnpike, but agreed to proceed with four others. The Planning Commission reviewed five redevelopment proposals at a workshop on March 9 to determine whether they should be added to the planning staff’s Comprehensive Plan work program for … Continued