Revitalization Policy Committee - next meeting- March 22, 8:00 a.m., agenda unknown ...

Route 1 market study - recommendations from market analysis permeate County Exec's policy package, beneficial in focusing attention on problems and potential solutions to Richmond Highway development, being considered during Comprehensive Land Use Plan nomination deliberations

Zoning Enforcement/NON-RUP problems - Key Auto - used cars, working on vehicles altho' no auto related activities allowed without SE; handicapped parking spaces in service drive at MVC Video (no remedy available), 2 illegal rental car offices with cars displayed, illegal vendors, used "for sale" cars, derelict cars etc., many recommendations in re: zoning enforcement in draft revitalization policy package, numerous problems still exist, LOTS OF ILLEGAL SIGNS!

Route 1 bus shelters and maintenance - Shelter pads and 16 shelters installed WITH WRONG ROOF, remedy to providing correct roof being pursued, Bus shelters - trash pick-up weekly, New roofs ordered .,.

Route 1 VDOT/Transportation Study - consultant's preferred study concept approved, U.S. Route 1 Location Study =$4.6 million, RFP due out in March, consultant on board by September 1, study completed 9/2000, last VDOT steering committee meeting held December 4

SFDC Internet Home Page - continuing to promote, extremely well received by brokerage/inVestor community, 454 users in January, accessing 3523 pages, averaging 14 users per day. February- 803 users, accessing 4123, averaging, 28 users per day.

Continue working with prospects/citizens/community groups - Becky made presentation to Mount Vernon Rotary and Stratford Women's Club, several retailers and restaurant users looking SERIOUSLY, working with a number of brokers including Hicks & Rotner, Smithy/Braedon Retail Group, Trout, Segall & Doyle, MeInerney, KLNB, etc. several PROMISING projects in feasibility stage. South Valley appears even closer to gaining major tenant(s) (K-Mart still has 16 years left on the lease), Po Folks has closed with Piccadilly Cafeteria coming in, Mt. Vernon Plaza pad site/old Health Clinic still not signed but getting close, Service Merchandise to close in several weeks - working, with broker to find new user, trying to help Tom Pleimling with property across from Almost-a-bank and listing agent for property between Wick's and Woodlawn Kennel.

Critical Structures Inspection Program - looking for health, safety and fire violations in older structures (such as motels) along Highway, found only minor problems so far... SFDC and others asked for input on who to target

Richmond Highway Task Force, a k a Route 1 Comprehensive Plan Review - NOW UNDERWAY ... meeting at SFDC every other week, Lee and Mt. Vernon sides with total 18 members Sy Berdux, Anita Umphlett, Queenie Cox, Doug Jones, Tom Collins and Becky Witsman on Task Force, now scheduled to finish work by 30 March. Great progress being made!

South County_ Government Center - draft RFP passed Board of Supervisors on 2/9, RFP released 4/13/1998, selection of developer to be made by mid-August ... looking for 135,000 square foot building for County Human Service Agencies and redevelopment of other site(s).., lots of SFDC staff and Board time invested in effort to publicize, facilitate, etc. FOUR responses received, decision on successful bidder made, negotiations have begun ... stay tuned!

Route 1 Monopoles - SFDC President on Task Force, continue to monitor proposed locations near Route 1 ... Bell Atlantic/Nynex wants to put in a TALL monopole on Virginia Power's substation behind South Valley Shopping Center - Becky_, and Sy met with them on 1/19/98, application filed ...

Route 1 median beautification project - County maintaining...so far, working out well, County to landscape, provide brick pavers and irrigation to first 700' of northernmost median in spring with bond $$$.

Richmond Highway leasing - efforts underway to find replacement tenants for K-Mart which is now closed, T.J. Maxx on percentage rent, Po Folks closed.

Commercial Revitalization Zoning District designation - Planning Commission public hearing held, P.C. decision on September 24, approved by BOS on October 12, anxious to test effectiveness, Commercial Revitalization Seminar for developers, architects, attorneys, etc. held March 3 - great turnout!

Blighted structures - next round of public hearings in' late spring - Old BelleHaven Lodge and Metrocall II building next on list. After approved declaration, owners have 30 days to cure blight; if not, county will come in and demolish and send a bill. If bill not paid, lien put on property; 10% penalty and 10% interest per year ...Old Dairy Queen/Hatmaker property, Ladson Lane houses demolished, Homes Oil building all now demolished, Wagon Wheel demolished end of February at cost of $30,000!

Route 1 community market place - possible locations selected and being investigated, farmers market & vendors.

Huntington Metro project - 650 residential units, 250,000 sq. ft. office, term sheet finalized but not officially accepted, goes to metro board in approximately 1 months time, delayed ...

Howard Johnson's - now undergoing $5-$7 million renovation, to reopen as Hampton Inn, reopening time delayed until April/May, inside gutted, new parking lot, pool, HVAC, restaurant ...

Mobil at Fort Hunt Road - $500,000 improvement planned, approved by BOS on 10/6/97, building plans being developed

Sun/Sunoco Company, 5828 Richmond Highway, SE 96-V-044 - SFDC supported more extensive improvements years ago now; due to Wilson Bridge concerns, project scaled back to new canopies and landscaping only, approved by P.C. 1/28/99 and BOS 2/8/99, had been indefinitely deferred at applicant's request since early 1997, no food mart, outdoor lifts removed prior to issuance of non-RUP

Eckerd's Drug store - new store proposed at Key Auto location (in "island" between Michael's Arts & Crafts and Penn Daw Shoppers), need SE for drive-thru window ... AAC's considered in concept on 2/5/98 and again 3/4/99, returned with colonial, brick building with irrigation system, SE 98-V-062, P.C. April 8, BOS - April 26 (see enclosed draft resolution.)

Service Merchandise - Scheduled to close in next several weeks

Old Groveton School site - South County Government Center site or private office building? Pre-existing generalized development plan and C-3 zoning

Beacon Mall/Route 1 street light undergrounding pilot project - 110,000 square foot Lowe's Home Improvement Center (by-right project), demolition between Giant and Marshall's, construction on $10 - $15 million renovation started in late June, mid 1999 completion. Lowe's slow.., checking on reason, Commitment to pay approximately $35,000 for the street light utility undergrounding pilot project fulfilled. They have also committed to planting trees and shrubs in the service drive median in front of the mall. Project managers have applied for tax abatement. Starbucks open in Beacon Mall. Undergrounding of utilities completed, new street light pole installation held up by Virginia Power.

Holly Hill mini-warehouse - still trying to find solution to need for easement for stormwater problem on opposite side of Holly Hill ...

Old Wagon Wheel motel site - demolished end of February at a cost of approximately $30,000, Groveton Civic Association supported mini-warehouse in June 1998, AAC's and SFDC Board supported mini-storage facility, in concept, for site. Storage USA filed SE application. Area Plan Review proposed nomination for Storage USA approved by Task Force, Planning Commission date on SE deferred until after APR Nomination approved. Lee District Land Use Committee information only held briefing on February 23, 1998, Storage USA applicant upset about late Task Force completion date, ,unsuccessfully tried to fast track through Task Force after Supverisor Kauffman deferred action, meeting at Supervisor Kauffman's office scheduled for 3/10 rescheduled to 3/15

Checkers fast food at old Cafe Bardolino - AAC's and SFDC Board recommended SE 97-V-054 for a eat-in establishment with an accessory drive-thru window, approved by Planning Commission on 2/26/98, approved BOS date 4/27/98, future widening escrow waived, new building installed ... progressing slowly, sign now on building

First Union Bank - SE approval for additional tellers extended by BOS on 2/9/98 for 20 months until 11/99

Putt-Putt Golf Course in Hybla Valley - shed business has moved in and is in process of becoming legal, property owner and business owner have substantially improved the site by cleaning, painting, etc.

Home Depot at South Valley - possible, stay tuned for details

National Tire and Battery - SE application submitted for narrow but deep 2 acre parcel between South Valley S.C. and Hechinger's, AAC's heard presentation on June 4 ... supported with conditions, Lee District Land Use heard and imposed conditions, all conditions met and project approved by P.C. and BOS; 8 foot monument sian added at 11th hour before BOS

Redevelopment Housing Authority Gum Springs elderly project - approved by PC and BOS with MANY RESTRICTIONS -see enclosed proffers, federal tax credits for affordable housing which is due 3/12/99 - once a year application deadline and need zoning in place for that ...Sell tax credits and corporations buy and use as equity capital for financing of construction of project

Parts USA-Pep Boys-SOON taking over old Speedy Muffler to include all space between PARTS USA and old Speedy Muffer in Mt. Vernon Crossroads Shopping Center

Burger King at Mt. Vernon Crossroads - originally approved by Planning Commission as Taco Bell; by BOS on 2/24/97 with SFDC condition that trees be planted in the service drive median along the entire frontage of the shopping center - 2 1/2" trees planted 20 feet on center, filling, grading and grass on remainder of service drive median with immediate replacement of plantings when diseased or no longer viable. BURGER KING has applied to TAKE PAD SITE, REQUIRING SEA MODIFICATIONS ... FILED, AAC'S HEARD PRESENTATION SEPTEMBER 3, 1998, P.C. date deferred, AAC's waiting for drawing of building design before action to be taken, AAC's tentatively to hear on April 1st ...

Wal-Mart - Sherwood Hall median - still seeking recovery for restoration, SFDC medians on punch list for resolution before VDOT bond to be released...

Ryan Homes/Curry Development/Mt. Vee - DEMOLITION COMPLETED, 150 townhomes and 38 single family homes approved for 25+ acre Mt. Vee Motel site, construction of assisted care facility and townhouses to start in March, assisted care facility to open March 2000 ...

Martha Street blighted house - house on north side fronting Route 1 purchased, purchaser advised by SFDC staff of tax abatement, tax abatement approved, house so bad only valued at $12,000 ...

Guardian Savings & Loan - property back on market for $175,000 more than the $575,000 they paid for it (S16.72 Square foot) Guardian purchased property located in the "V" formed by Mount Vernon Highway and Richmond Highway, just below Thieves Market. Out of Texas, changed plans to build a by-right bank...

Rib Rack - closed for good. Property owner hopes to subdivide...

Aldi at old Bill's Superthrift/Russell Road Giant - opened February 11th, warehouse style, off brands with low pricing, clean store, consolidated entrances to store, reportedly not doing great volume of business
 
 

Mt. Vernon Mobil - at Russell Road, for the addition of a service bay, four new pumps to reconfigure pump islands and new canopy, SE - 98-L-063- came before AAC's on March 4th (see enclosed resolution), 322 square foot mini-mart approved by earlier SE

Islamic Academy - to move to Loudoun County within four years.., new four year lease with additional 1 year options soon to be signed by county, will need to find reuse for building, arranged and attended tour for one prospect

Almost-a-bank Property- under contract, stay tuned

Genuario Office Building at Radford - spring '99 construction start

Eagleside Office Park - leasing underway, Rising Hope Church may move there, South Valley H & R Block to move soon

Taco Bell rebuild at Engleside Shopping Center -$800,000- building plans pending, expedited processing applied!

Engleside Post Office - Jack Kelso has received contract for architectural services, 7,227 square foot facility in Woodlawn Shopping Center to be replaced by new 17,000 square foot free standing facility, Keystone Motel location, boundaries are N: Huntley Meadows Park, South- Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, E-Little Hunting Creek, W-Fort Belvoir, Motel buildings now boarded up, HOPE TO GET old motel buildings demolished soon.

Texaco Quick Lube at Skyview/Richmond Hwy. - SE application accepted by County on June 1, 1998, presentation to AAC's on October 1st (supported), Lee District Land Use presentation September 28th, approved by P.C, November 5 and BOS on December 7, looking for demolition contractor (gave referral) and finalizing building plans for submission ...

Jim's Country bar/old Little Detroit garage (across from Engleside Shopping Center) - chicken rotisserie business coming, blighted blue house and old garage demolished to be replaced by new Hollywood Video - site and construction costs = $2 million, Hollywood Video now open, 1998 Mary Thonen Beautification award for Engleside Shopping Center

Old Woodlawn Pizza Hut - new "JACKIE CHAN" sign on roof, all-american food...now open

Sacramento Shopping Center - Mt. Vernon Family Restaurant and Shark Club coming soon!

Future Farmers of America - $20 million (hotel & residential), preliminary site plan filed 11 acres, 30- 18,000 square foot lots hotel/conference center still contemplated, favorable County decision on retaining office building via Out-of-Turn Plan amendment. Assisted living concept dropped, may be selling entire residential or residential/office portion of project, possible lease of office building to Coast Guard or other user ...

U.S. Army Museum at Fort Belvoir - $100 million project, 378,000 square foot office building, lots of work to try to convince Army to locate at Fort Belvoir... still pushing for it ... meets 16 of the 17 original location requirements. The museum building is envisioned to be approximately 375,000 square feet with a 4-acre landscaped outdoor exhibit area, 800 parking spaces and a minimum of 20% landscaped open space. That leaves approximately 17.5 acres for future development or expansion needs. Becky and Sy working on again ...