Team Approved For West Falls Church Development

FALLS CHURCH, VA—The City of Falls Church has agreed to a public-private partnership for the future West Falls Church development at the current George Mason High School site. City Council approved an interim agreement Monday with EYA, PN Hoffman, and Regency Centers, for the proposed mixed-use development.

The city started accepting proposals in March and narrowed it down to three finalists in the summer. A committee reviewed the three final proposals based on the value offered for the site, the quality of the development program, civic space, and the up-front and long-term financial benefits for the city. Committee members voted for the final team of EYA, PN Hoffman, and Regency Centers on Nov. 5.

"Over the past four years, the City held dozens of public meetings to develop a vision for the 10 acre West Falls Church site as a vibrant commercial district that will generate revenue to help us pay for our new high school," said Mayor David Tarter in a statement. "After a thorough and exhaustive selection process, I am confident that the team of EYA, PN Hoffman, and Regency Centers will be an outstanding partner to work with the City over the coming years to achieve that vision."

The developers' presentation to the council provided insight into what the proposed development would entail. The 10-acre site could feature retail, office space, apartments and condominiums, a hotel, civic spaces (or potential music venue) and a centrally-located public space called The Little City Commons. The residences could include 150 to 200 units of senior housing, 245 condominiums, 288 multi-family apartments and 40 affordable housing units.

The next step for the West Falls Church development will be working on the special exception entitlement, which sets standards for building heights, permitted uses, and style layouts in the city. The developer is expected to submit the special exception entitlement in February; the council will consider the submission in the spring.

The private development could begin construction in 2021—after the new George Mason High School nearby is complete. School construction is slated to begin in summer 2019, and the school's projected opening date is summer 2021. The school district selected the design and construction team over the summer and released detailed plans for the new five-story school.

In 2017, voters approved $120 million in bonds for the George Mason High School, but city officials are planning for the West Falls Church development to defray the school construction costs.

The developer and city plan to announce a community meeting in December. You can check out the development proposal and more information at www.fallschurchva.gov/WFC.

Image via City of Falls Church