News Highlights

• The approved real estate agreement supports the revitalization of Bailey's Crossroads, bringing about 355 new apartments, site for a possible new, future county or private office building and new connector road.
• The deal involves a land swap. As a result of the transaction, the developer Columbia Crossing will end up with a consolidated 4.47 acre property along Moncure Avenue where it can build new housing, and the county will own an approximately 2.76 acre plot.
• The Bailey's Community Shelter will remain at its current location until a new facility is ready.

 

Fairfax County’s plans to revitalize the location for the current Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter were revived on Tuesday after an attempt that stalled last year.

The Board of Supervisors approved a real estate deal that will bring new housing, a site appropriate for a future new county or private office building, and a future connector road to the neighborhood. The agreement is with Columbia Crossing, and it involves a land swap that gives the county and developer consolidated properties for their respective plans.

Last year, the county negotiated an almost identical agreement with AvalonBay, but the developer terminated the contract. Following the deal’s end, Columbia Crossing expressed interest in a similar agreement with the county. The company owns the land that AvalonBay had planned to buy to trade with the county.

Columbia Crossing proposes to build approximately 355 mid-rise apartments along Moncure Avenue, and the county wants a consolidated parcel for a future office building and road extension to connect Seminary Road and Columbia Pike. Under the deal, the county and the developer also agreed to seek a joint rezoning that will be needed before either can move forward.

 

Agreement Details

The county owns an approximately 1.32 acre property at Columbia Pike and Moncure Avenue and has an interest in adjoining right-of-way. This property is where the Bailey’s shelter is located today.

The county will swap this land for an adjacent 1.49 acre property that is owned by Columbia Crossing.

In separate transaction, the county will buy a 1.44 acre site owned by Landmark Atlantic where the 52-year-old Bailey’s International Center stands today. The county entered into a contract to buy the Landmark property last April, and it expects to close on the deal later this year.

As a result of these transactions, the developer will end up with a consolidated 4.47 acre property along Moncure Avenue for its proposed mid-rise apartment development. The county will own an approximately 2.76 acre consolidated plot for a possible future new office building and connector road.

As a key component of the deal, the county does not need to vacate the current Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter until Oct. 31, 2019. This will allow the Bailey’s shelter to operate at its current location until a new facility opens on a commercial property a quarter mile away at 5914 Seminary Road.

 

It should also be noted that the agreement with Columbia Crossing doesn't commit the county to build an office building on its parcel.  The consolidated county property could accommodate a possible East County Human Services Center as identified in the county’s Capital Improvement Program. This center would consolidate human services functions currently operating from various leased spaces in the area. The decision to build a new county human services center, or to continue leasing space, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at a future time.

 

Advancing Economic Success

This project supports the county’s Economic Success Strategic Plan, which calls for creating higher density developments in revitalization areas and realizing the value of county land. Columbia Crossing’s housing will be located in the heart of the revitalization district for Baileys Crossroads.

Our economic success plan also seeks to use public-private partnerships to maximize the return on investment potential for all county assets, including land and facilities, by leveraging partnership opportunities to construct and operate infrastructure and facilities throughout the county.

In 2010, the county updated the land use plan for the Bailey’s Community Business Center to recommend the development of a “town center” with a mix of uses. Columbia Crossing’s proposal helps to advance the broader vision for a revitalized Bailey’s Crossroads.

When the joint rezoning moves forward, county officials and staff will seek public input, and they look forward to working with the developer and all stakeholders, including the Mason District Land Use Committee and others. The rezoning will be reviewed by the Planning Commission, and the Board of Supervisors will ultimately decide on this important revitalization project.

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