So it’s official. This view will soon be a thing of the past! Last night, Falls Church City Council voted to grant Mill Creek, the developers of the Founders Row project, the approval that they required to move forward with their project. The vote was 6 to 0 with Dave Snyder abstaining. The new special exemption will add almost 400 new apartments.Read More →
Click here for the latest comments to the city council from the Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) regarding the recent Founders Row proposal to eliminate the hotel in the development plans. *** Update – The developer of Founders Row, Mill Creek, has cancelled their presentation this evening at the City Council meeting, Monday, May 22, at 7:30. Use the links below for details of the project and meeting agenda: City’s Founders Row Project Website City Council Agenda for Monday, May 22, 2017, at 7:30pmRead More →
Arlington, like many local jurisdictions, depend on commercial development to fund the county’s needs. The increase in commercial vacancies has been problematic in Arlington and the article indicates that high vacancies may continue until 2023. If this is occurring in a neighboring jurisdiction that is very similar to FCC, what might we learn from this issue? The Arlington Economic Development Chief indicates that converting commercial property to residential brings in less revenue than commercial properties: “he cautioned that the conversions trigger more government services for residents and bring in less revenue than commercial properties.” Washington Business Journal ArticleRead More →
Editor’s note: Lisa Varouxis has in depth knowledge of all the iterations and discussions regarding Mason Row. She attends all the meetings, reviews all submitted documents and submits detailed questions and follows up with the city for answers. Mayor Tarter, Vice Mayor Snyder, Council Member Baroukh, Council Member Connelly, Council Member Duncan, Council Member Oliver, Council Member Sze: I appreciate the changes Spectrum Development and Mill Creek have recently made to address some of the concerns of the adjacent neighbors, specifically the announcement on the 23rd of November they will reduce the height of the building by one floor on the West Street facing side.Read More →
The attached independent report was paid for the Falls Church City to address the Mason Row (MR) Special Exception/Amusement Tax Abatement Request. Please read the the report and provide your comments. Below are two findings which are particularly troubling: The complexity of Mason Row (MR) means financial risk across multiple and interacting variables. The project has serious feasibility issues. Bolan Smart Mason Row report Read More →
Say No to Mason Row until the model is updated! Read More →
