Environmental Considerations

Through onsite inspection, coordination and correspondence with state and local agencies, the VDOT District Environmental Section has determined that this project will not significantly impact streams or wetlands, will not impact any endangered species, natural, cultural, historic, or recreational resources, and will not involve significant air, noise, or water quality impacts. This project was coordinated through the State Environmental Review Process. No significant environmental impacts were identified during this review.

Garage Design Features

The design of the VRE Burke Centre Station Parking Garage reflects the architecture of both the existing train station and the surrounding community. Some of the highlights include:

• The main feature of this project is the construction of a 4-story parking structure to provide approximately 1290 parking spaces.
• The structure will be approximately 450' long, 185' wide and 47' high.
• The structure will feature an elevator tower approximately 87' high.
• Two functional clocks will be incorporated into the main elevator tower to address the community's desire to retain some of the rural character of Burke and to showcase the proposed garage as a landmark for the community.
• The stair and clock towers are designed to complement the architecture of the existing Victorian VRE Station.
• The elevator tower will have a metal roof to match the style and color of the existing train station's roof.
• The proposed structure will be primarily of pre-cast concrete construction with red brick inlays at the facade on three sides and cascaded tree planters on the west side of the structure. The brick inlays and cast stone exterior of the garage reflect the materials found throughout the Burke area, and the tree planters reflect the environmental concerns of the community.

Location

The construction of this project is within the present boundary of the current Burke Centre VRE Station site which is owned by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The site is located at 5671 Roberts Parkway, Burke, Virginia. The property size is approximately 7.4 acres.

Project History

This project was initiated by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) in order to meet an increased demand in VRE commuter parking at the present station in Burke. Currently the existing parking facility is over capacity. A recent Strategic Plan prepared for VRE indicated that VRE ridership has grown significantly over the last few years and is projected to grow at an even faster rate in the future. This growth exceeds the original planned capacity of the current surface parking facility.

In October 2004, Fairfax County expanded the existing parking lot by constructing 63 additional parking spaces as an interim measure to mitigate the overcapacity. With these additional parking spaces, the current facility with a total of 614 spaces still remains overcapacity.

In 2004, a feasibility study report on parking expansion at the Burke Centre Station was prepared under the direction of Department of Public Works and Enviromental Services. The report recommended construction of a structured parking facility on the site of the existing Burke VRE parking facility. As a result, the Board of Supervisors approved the implementation of the Burke Centre VRE Parking Structure project that consists of construction of a 4-story parking structure with roof deck parking.

Schedule

The construction began on Monday, October 30, 2006, and the new garage is scheduled to be opened in the fall of 2008. Final completion of the overall project is scheduled for late summer 2008. When complete, the Burke Centre VRE Station will provide approximately 1510 commuter parking spaces.

Surface  Parking

Additional parking, Kiss and Ride area, and bus stops will also be available within this site as the area outside of the structure will be configured to provide approximately 220 additional surface parking spaces. The area adjacent to the station platform will be designed as a courtyard where buses can circulate for drop-off/pick-up and where up to three buses can park while awaiting passengers. A Kiss and Ride drop-off will be separated from the buses and will be located in the eastern most parking area. Bicycle racks will be available inside the garage structure.