Overview:

As part of the Potomac Yard Plan, several hundred townhouses were planned for Landbay L which is between Goldcrust Bakery and Route 1. Del Ray community leaders have come out against this proposal. The alternate plan is to place high-density mixed-use development on what is currently the GW Fields at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Braddock Road.

Click here for a map of Landbay L and Braddock Fields.

ADAM supports this alternate plan for the following reasons.

Connectivity:

The alternate site is adjacent to the Braddock Road Metro station, whereas Landbay L is not. This will encourage future residents/employees of the new development to use transit instead of driving. However, for those who need to drive, the location along two major arterial streets will allow fast and easy movement to and from the site. In contrast, a new development at Landbay L would not have access to arterial streets. Indeed it would be placed among quieter neighborhood streets.

Mixed-Use Development/Urban Form:

Alexandria is already covered with townhomes, a style of development which does not create walkable neighborhoods and is simply a denser form of the suburban subdivision. Alexandria needs mixed-use development and the site next to the Braddock Road Metro station is a perfect location for it. We have the opportunity to create a walkable neighborhood just across the street from several shops and restaurants including a 7-11, Subway and dry cleaner's. This would also enable Landbay L to be used for open space including sports fields, playgrounds, park, and perhaps a swimming pool, accessible to residents and students at George Washington Middle School. The land swap could transform several acres of empty space into usable open space for the entire community. While the it would be further from the middle school, there is an opportunity to increase the quality and quantity of the space such as improving the drainage systems, adding more fields that can serve a greater diversity of needs, and creating spaces that draw people in.

Conclusions:

The land swap is a great opportunity for the Braddock Metro Station area to create walkable neighborhoods on both sides of the tracks. However, a decision on this issue must be fast-tracked, and appropriate compensation awarded to the developer to ensure cooperation towards mutual benefit. We must gain the developer's full cooperation and trust so as to not squander this opportunity.