Development News Shared At 2022 Mount Vernon Town Meeting

MOUNT VERNON, VA — From development news to tourism branding to promote the south county area, numerous updates were shared at the Mount Vernon Town Meeting hosted by Supervisor Dan Storck Saturday.

The 35th annual Mount Vernon Town Meeting was started by former Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland. Storck, who was first elected in 2015, continued the tradition of the town meeting to provide updates from local and federal representatives. An exhibit hall was held before attendees heard from speakers, got questions answered by officials, and watched a virtual flyover tour.

Storck highlighted news in the district, including 2021 accomplishments and focuses for 2022. Part of the meeting was dedicated to Storck's virtual tour of happenings in the Mount Vernon District, showing different project locations and planned Bus Rapid Transit station locations. At the beginning of the virtual tour, Storck noted Mount Vernon was one of five districts being considered for a name change. The county's redistricting committee is tasked with recommending by March 1 to the Board of Supervisors on whether the Mount Vernon District, Mason District, Springfield District, Sully District and Lee District should be renamed.

"The Mount Vernon residents have voiced their strong support to leave our district name alone, and I support this," Storck said.

One major accomplishment highlighted during the virtual tour was the successful effort to save River Farm. River Farm, the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society and a popular community location, was put up for sale in late 2020, leading to concerns about a developer taking away public access from the landmark. The American Horticultural Society ultimately took River Farm off the market after undergoing leadership changes. Storck noted five American Horticultural Society board members "stood firm" against selling River Farm.

"With tremendous community support and a strong partnership, advocacy and leadership with our federal, state and regional leaders, this beautiful property was preserved including adding a historic overlay district," said Storck.

Storck said a historic overlay district is being considered for the Hollin Hills community as residents seek to preserve its character. The community of mid-century modern homes designed by Charles Goodman is already on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic overlay district consideration will come to the Fairfax County Planning Commission on Feb. 23 and Board of Supervisors on March 8.

Progress is being made on residential communities near the Huntington Metro. The Arden, 126 units of affordable housing and new office space for Wesley Housing, is expected to be complete in the summer. Huntington Crossing, a 62-unit building, is near completion. In December, the Board of Supervisors approved rezoning for the Huntington Club for a planned redevelopment. The plan calls for 200 stacked townhouses, as well as rental and for-sale apartment units.

Further south near the Kings Highway and Richmond Highway intersection, the South Alex development is under construction again after the massive four-alarm fire two years ago. The South Alex development will include 400 apartments, 41 townhouses, and ground-level retail with an Aldi grocery store. Nearby, the Belhaven project is under construction with plans to offer 240 multifamily units, including 41 workforce development units. The Board of Supervisors will soon consider the proposed Alexandria Crossing project at the Evolution Home site. The proposal calls for 466 residential unit, including 47 workforce affordable homes.

In the Beacon Hill area, the county is planning a new site for the Penn Daw Fire Station at the former Hybla Valley Nursery. The fire station would be colocated with a relocated Eleanor Kennedy Shelter with supportive and workforce housing. Storck convened an advisory committee of residents, agencies and community organizations to provide input on programs and site design for the project. In other fire station news, the grand opening of the Woodlawn Fire Station is Saturday at 10 a.m.

The North Hill development at Richmond Highway and Dart Drive is another project nearing completion. North Hill will include a 12-acre park, 175 market-rate townhouses, 63 affordable senior units and 216 workforce affordable units. Storck said planning has been 35 years in the making.

The county's own Mount Vernon Rec Center renovation project on the horizon, but construction will be delayed. The recreation center will get its first major update since the 1970s, upgrading the fitness center and adding multipurpose rooms, a swimming pool and two NHL-sized rinks. While construction had been expected to begin in May, factors like supply chain issues and cost increases have delayed the process. County staff plan to rebid when costs and supply stabilize, which Storck hopes will be in early 2022.

On the Lee District side of Richmond Highway, a Lee District Community Center is being planned at the former Mount Vernon Athletic Club. The center is expected to open later in 2022 and provide youth programs and other community resources.

At the Original Mount Vernon High School, an agreement is underway to bring college courses and workforce development programs through Fairfax County Public Schools and Northern Virginia Community College. Teen and senior centers have already opened at the Original Mount Vernon High School. Other uses being considered for the site are training programs, small business and food incubation locations, nonprofit offices, and theater offerings.

In Woodlawn and Fort Belvoir, affordable housing developer AHC partnered with the county to acquire Haven Mount Vernon and Haven Fort Belvoir, which are being renamed Landings I and Landings II. The communities will be preserved as 292 units of affordable housing.

On the transportation side, the Embark Richmond Highway program and proposed Bus Rapid Transit with nine stations are top funding priorities in the county, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said. McKay said over half a billion in funding has been acquired for Embark Richmond Highway, and the county is applying for federal funds for the Bus Rapid Transit. The Virginia Department of Transportation's own Richmond Highway widening project is in design and will leave room for bus-only lanes. A One Richmond Highway brand for the Bus Rapid Transit is expected to be announced later in February.

South county is also getting new branding from Visit Fairfax. The south county branding called Potomac Banks aims to promote historic, entertainment, arts and natural sites along the corridor.

"COVID has had a profound impact and hurt our tourism and hospitality industry," said Storck. "I encourage all of you to get out and visit all these sites in the Potomac Banks brand. This year, we are launching the brand to raise awareness, drive more visitors to our region and to create synergy between locations.

Along with Storck and McKay, speakers at the meeting included Reps. Don Beyer and Gerry Connolly, County Executive Bryan Hill, George Washington Parkway Superintendent Charles Cuvelier and Mount Vernon District School Board representative Karen Corbett Sanders. Col. Josh SeGraves, the Fort Belvoir garrison commander, provided a video message.

The full Mount Vernon Town Meeting video is available on YouTube, Channel 16, Facebook, and Mount Vernon District website.