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| An illustration of the proposed Triple-A center. |
Members of the Bailey’s Crossroads Revitalization Corporation (BCRC) got a glimpse of the proposed Triple-A retail center June17. The center is slated for the stand-alone building in the shopping center at the corner of Route 50 and Wilson Boulevard in Seven Corners. The long-vacant building was most recently occupied by a Bennigan’s restaurant.
AAA Mid-Atlantic(part of the membership organization formerly known as the American Automobile Association) is requesting a zoning special exception to renovate the building and change its use. The proposal is expected to go to the Fairfax County Planning Commission Oct. 15 and the Board of Supervisors Oct. 28.
The facility would likely have about 25 to 30 customers a day for auto services, says Sara Mariska, a land use attorney with Walsh Colucci Lubeley Emrich & Walsh. Once it’s approved, it would take about nine months to complete the site plan and another six months for construction. The renovation would cost about $1.5 million.
Members of the BCRC note the facility will likely be affected by the plans for redeveloping Seven Corners, including possible improvements to the intersection at Wilson Boulevard Route 50, and Route 7.
Representatives of Spectrum Development outlined for the BCRC their plans for a new shopping center on Leesburg Pike between Charles Street and Washington Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads. The 26,000-square foot center will have a CVS drugstore, Smashburger, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, and three or four other tenants not yet determined.
Several residents of the Courtland Park neighborhood expressed concerns about the impact of the shopping center on traffic. The only access to the center will be from the side streets; there won’t be an entrance on Route 7. Residents said Washington Street is already backed up by people trying to turn onto Route 7, and too many people are using their neighborhood to cut through from Route 7 to Columbia Pike.
Several residents of the Courtland Park neighborhood expressed concerns about the impact of the shopping center on traffic. The only access to the center will be from the side streets; there won’t be an entrance on Route 7. Residents said Washington Street is already backed up by people trying to turn onto Route 7, and too many people are using their neighborhood to cut through from Route 7 to Columbia Pike.
Instead of trying to make a difficult left turn from Washington to Route 7, Peter Batten of Spectrum suggested people could cut through the shopping center parking lot to Charles Street, where there’s a light at Route 7.
Batten also said there are discussions about the possibility of realigning Charles Street with Glen Forest Drive on the other side of Route 7.
“I’m pleased to see something new in the neighborhood,” said Frank Sellers of the BCRC, noting this is the first project to come forward since the Bailey’s Crossroads redevelopment plan was approved four years ago. It’s worrisome, however, that the shops might not be able to make enough money to stay in business, he said. “It sure would be terrible for the community if you fail.”
Batten noted that market research has shown that there is a need for these businesses. The CVS is actually moving from another location, near the Skyline Center.
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