~ Nearly $3 million dollar grant to fund Mount Vernon District land purchase ~

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va – As a part of ongoing efforts to improve the water quality in Dogue Creek, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has purchased three parcels of land at 8800 Richmond Highway. The county is funding the land acquisition with a $2.8 million Virginia Community Preparedness Fund (CFPF) grant and the Stormwater Service District Fund. This is part of a multi-decade effort to preserve sensitive floodplain and resource protection area.

“This important acquisition marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to protect and restore our local natural resources. By enhancing the health of Dogue Creek, we are investing in the long-term well-being of our community and the environment. Our commitment to improving water quality and supporting sustainable practices will have lasting benefits, and we look forward to continuing this work for future generations,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay.

Dogue Creek is a tributary of the Potomac River that drains approximately 19.5 square miles of Fairfax County including portions of Huntley Meadows and Fort Belvoir Military Reservation.

Buying the land near the creek is the first step in restoring the area to its natural stormwater functions and improving the creek’s water quality. Since 2017, the County has received multiple proposals to redevelop this site for residential or mixed use, making it a prime candidate for redevelopment. However, redeveloping the property with new buildings conflicts with a number of county policies because of the risk of flooding and the county’s desire to restore environmentally sensitive lands.

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck considers the project a win for his district, “This site has a rich history dating back to colonial times, including the Dogue Indians, George Washington, and a piece of Americana as Route 1 became a travel corridor with roadside attractions like the amusement park once here. As part of our revitalization efforts and with its location adjacent to Dogue Creek, the county’s purchase presents a unique opportunity to transform this long-standing eyesore. While it sits in a floodplain and resource protection area, it also has significant runoff and impervious surfaces. Preserving these environmentally sensitive lands, removing blight from the corridor and creating the opportunity to open access to the beautiful Dogue Creek and potential future park land is a huge win for our residents.”

The buildings and other impervious surfaces on the 7.9-acre property will be removed once the current tenants’ leases end and the property is fully transferred. The county anticipates receiving credit towards Chesapeake Bay protection goals once the conversion of the current impervious area to a restored natural area is completed.

As part of this effort, the natural stream buffer on the acquired parcels along this reach of Dogue Creek will be restored. This includes planting native species that thrive in wetlands and floodplains and removing non-native invasive plants. This buffer restoration will optimize floodplain and resource protection area (RPA) functions. The work is planned for 2025-2026.

This is a multi-agency county effort, including Public Works, Planning and Development, and Department of Transportation and Fairfax County Park Authority. Future actions for the site will include documenting that the area is to be maintained as an open space in perpetuity and coordination with VDOT on right-of way and easement needs for the Richmond Highway expansion project, as well as coordination with other stakeholders.

Parcel acquisition is subject to the terms of the CFPF grant program.