First Virginia Tech Innovation Campus Concept Plan Released

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Virginia Tech Foundation submitted the first concept plan for the future Innovation Campus to the City of Alexandria on Friday, Nov. 1. Included with the plan are JBG Smith and Lionstone's proposals for phase one of redeveloping north Potomac Yard with office, retail and residential uses. This concept plan involves the area east of the current Potomac Yard shopping center, which will ultimately be redeveloped too.

The concept plan shows nine different blocks for the campus with potential density and building height numbers. Three of the blocks are slated to academic buildings. For the other blocks, plans call for retail space on the ground level, as well as commercial office and 718 unit-residential space on ground and upper levels. Estimated retail and office space totals 751,300, academic space totals 600,000 and residential space totals 554,200.

According to the concept plan, the tallest academic building has a proposed maximum height of 120 feet on the north side and 180 on the south side. The tallest non-academic building would be 105 feet, and the shortest would be 85 feet.

Virginia Tech and the developers will hold a public meeting introducing plans for the campus and mixed-use development. The meeting will be held Thursday, Nov. 14 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the National Industries for the Blind, second floor meeting room, 3000 Potomac Avenue, Alexandria.

The Planning Commission and City Council will hold a joint work session on the initial submission on Nov. 12, but plans won't be up for review and approval until 2020.

Earlier this year, Virginia Tech announced Potomac Yard as the future location of the Innovation Campus, which will be part of JBG Smith and Lionstone's 65-acre mixed-use development. The city's North Potomac Yard Small Area Plan established guidelines for redevelopment of the 65-acre site, which includes the current Potomac Yard shopping center. The development will be near the future Potomac Yard Metro station.

The city recently approved Virginia Tech's proposal to open initial campus space at two retail storefronts at the Potomac Yard shopping center. The space will accommodate academic programming, research labs and a marketing center to promote the new campus. According to Washington Business Journal, the campus began taking applications for degree programs in that initial space.