Virginia Tech Seeks To Open In Retail Space At Potomac Yard

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Virginia Tech has applied to open the first of its Innovation Campus space at two retail spots at the Potomac Yard Shopping Center. The proposal goes to the Alexandria Planning Commission on Sept. 3.

The initial space would be located at two retail spaces, one being Rack Room Shoes and the other the former Dressbarn store. The space would accommodate academic programming, research labs and a marketing center to promote the new campus, according to the special use permit application.

Virginia Tech leadership and local officials announced the campus will be located in Potomac Yard after Oakville Triangle was pursued as the initial location. The 35-acre campus will be part of a 65-acre mixed-use development at the current Potomac Yard shopping center, property manager Lionstone Investments said.

The innovation campus will train tech talent for companies such as Amazon, which is setting up its second headquarters nearby in Arlington. The campus is expected to be completed in 10 years and enroll 750 master's degree students and hundreds of doctoral degree students and postdoctoral fellows. While it will focus on graduate education, undergraduates can research or intern at the campus.

Virginia Tech's plan to enroll the first students next year could move forward with initial space for the innovation campus. The first graduate degree for the innovation campus, a master’s of engineering degree in computer science and applications, could begin in spring 2020 pending approval by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. The programs will locate in existing space near where campus buildings will be built.

The full innovation campus will include 300,000 square feet of academic space and research facilities, 250,000 square feet of partner space for startups and corporate facilities, 350,000 square feet of housing for students and faculty, and 100,000 square feet of retail and support spaces.