Article Text

Fairfax City Council members expressed mixed views July 28 about a preliminary proposal to redevelop a 2.09-acre office parcel at 3541 Chain Bridge Road.

Network Realty Partners is considering replacing two 1970s-era, two-story office buildings at the southeast corner of Chain Bridge Road and Eaton Place with 37 residential units, 2,750 square feet of retail space and proposed green space or a linear park.

The housing would include townhouses and two-over-two stacked units. The stacked units could reach a maximum height of 60 feet. The retail space would be located on the University Drive side of the parcel.

The proposal remains at the earliest stage of review and has not been formally submitted for approval. Its unit count, building heights, retail area and open-space design could change before a formal application or any approval.

Council members differed over whether the project should contain more commercial space and whether additional housing was appropriate. Council member Thomas Peterson questioned the limited retail component, asking, “If we are trying to expand commercial in this area, why aren’t we focusing the approach on this particular site?”

Peterson also pointed to the city’s housing pipeline, saying Fairfax has more than 3,000 housing units in various stages of development.

Council member Billy Bates said, “There might be room for compromise.” Mayor Catherine Read voiced support for the concept, saying, “I really have confidence in this project.” Council member Rachel McQuillen said, “I actually really like this plan a lot.”

The existing office buildings are about 40% vacant, according to the development team’s representative, who projected that they could be fully empty within approximately 18 months. Robert Brant said the current property owner would help displaced tenants find new space, with an emphasis on keeping them in Fairfax City.

Read cautioned that the discussion was only an initial step. “We’re on the first step of 100,” she said.

The council’s work session did not constitute formal approval of the redevelopment. Further review would be required if Network Realty Partners submits an application.