Samuel Madden Housing Redevelopment Heads To Planning Commission

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A major redevelopment proposal for the Samuel Madden Homes public housing in Old Town West is headed to the Alexandria Planning Commission in February.

The public housing, located at 899 and 999 North Henry Street, is proposed to be turned into multifamily housing by the owner Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The community is currently 66 total units with thirteen two-story apartment buildings.

The redevelopment would create 532 units in two mixed-income multifamily buildings on two blocks. Of the 532 units, 326 would be affordable to households 30 percent to 80 percent of the area median income, and 208 would be market rate units. The proposal calls for increasing the density from 0.75 floor area ratio to 3.9, which includes a 0.9 bonus density.

Ground floor detail space could include a potential restaurant, and a Hopkins House child care center and an ALIVE food pantry could be brought to the site. Over 400 parking spaces are planned, mainly below grade with some on-street parking.

Mayor Justin Wilson noted in his January newsletter that much new affordable housing comes from nonprofit affordable housing developers as well as private developers' committed affordable units for density bonuses. However, with the Samuel Madden housing proposal and a proposal to make Ladrey public housing into a larger community, the mayor said public housing will play more of a role in developing new affordable housing.

The requests include a plan amendment to the zoning map, an amendment to the Braddock Road Metro Station Small Area Plan, development special use permit and site plan and special use permits for a transportation management plan and restaurant with outdoor dining.

If the proposal is advanced by the Planning Commission, it goes to City Council. The Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. on Feb. 7 in the City Hall Council Chamber.