West Falls Church Economic Development Project

  1. Video Posted: West Falls Church Town Hall Meeting with Project Updates

    Watch the video to learn about project updates from the March 2 Town Hall. Read on...

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Upcoming and Past Virtual Town Hall Meetings

Highlights of the Proposed Amendments

At the December 14 City Council meeting, this PowerPoint presentation was shared. It shows the highlights of changes to the project's Comprehensive Agreement, as proposed by the developer, Falls Church Gateway Partners (FCGP).

"The pandemic has caused a constriction in commercial real estate markets for new investments in hotel, office, and retail," said City Manager Wyatt Shields at the meeting. "The developer, Falls Church Gateway Partners, requests changes to terms of the Comprehensive Agreement in order to be able proceed with obtaining financing for the project."

Please view this PowerPoint Presentation for the full details of the amendments.

What Stays the Same with the Amendments

  • The project will continue to move forward with the proposed program as detailed below on this project website.
  • The hotel, office space, civic space, senior housing, and condos and apartments ratios will remain.
  • The developer will demolish the old high school, as planned.
  • The City will be able to cover debt service for the high school.
  • The City will be able to maintain adequate capital reserves.

What Changes with the Amendments

  • Delivery date delayed by approximately six months.
  • Reduction in capitalized ground lease payments.
  • Increase in ground rent payments over 99 year term.
  • New/revised profit share provisions.

Conditions of the Amendments
The amendments would be subject to certain conditions:

  • Completion of the demolition and rough grading of the high school property by the end of May 2021 with an obligation to diligently pursue remainder of demolition scope.
  • The developer would also agree to complete the negotiation of transactional agreements with the grocer, office developer, and senior component developer on or by March 1, 2021.

Project Status

A Special Exception Entitlement application was submitted on February 4, 2019. After months of public review and revisions, the final development proposal was approved by the City Council on July 8, 2019. The approved SEE depicts the site layout, building heights, and general uses for the project.

On June 10, 2020, two new applications were submitted by the developers, which will undergo a similar City review process as the SEE:

  • Special Exception Entitlement Amendment
  • Special Exception Site Plan (SESP) for Phase 1

These applications were reviewed by city staff, City Council, Planning Commission, and other city boards and commissions, and community organizations. Comments were provided to FCGP and a resubmission was received on January 19, 2021.

The City will continue to coordinate with the Falls Church City Public Schools during the construction of the new George Mason High School. This development project is meant to complement the high school and middle school campus.

The City will also continue to coordinate with the potential Virginia Tech and WMATA redevelopment which is located immediately adjacent to the development.

Special Exception Entitlement – Amendment and Special Exception Site Plan – Phase 1 (Second Submission, January 19, 2021)

Special Exception Entitlement – Amendment and Special Exception Site Plan – Phase 1 (First Submission, June 10, 2020)

Approved Special Exception Entitlement Application (Third Submission, June 3, 2019)

Upcoming and Recent Meetings

NOTICE: Until further notice, public meetings will be held pursuant to and in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Section 2.2-3708.2 and state and local legislation adopted to allow for continued government operation during the COVID-19 declared emergency. All participating members of the applicable public body will be present at meetings through electronic means; and all members of the public are welcome to view the meeting at meeting specific links provided in the meeting agenda, and on FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Public comments will be accepted electronically and may be submitted to meeting specific emails provided in the agenda.

Meeting DateMeeting Type
Tuesday, March 2
Noon to 1:30pm		Virtual Town Hall
MS Teams Virtual Meeting Link
Wednesday, March 17
7:30 p.m.		Planning Commission Work Session
www.fallschurchva.gov/PC 
Tuesday, March 23
7:00 p.m.		School Board Work Session
www.fccps.org 
Tuesday, April 6
7:00 p.m.		Economic Development Authority Meeting
www.fallschurchva.gov/eda
Wednesday, April 7
7:30 p.m.		Planning Commission Recommendation Hearing www.fallschurchva.gov/PC 
Monday, April 19
7:30 p.m.		City Council Work Session (tentative)
www.fallschurchva.gov/CityCouncil
Monday, May 10
7:30 p.m.		City Council Action Hearing (tentative)
www.fallschurchva.gov/CityCouncil 

Comments may always be submitted to the City Council via the City Clerk’s Office.

Find past meeting information here. More meeting announcements and public comment opportunities will be posted here.

About the Proposed Development

  • The project will serve as a gateway to the City, instilling a sense of place through the use of high quality urban design, including a thoughtful interface with the adjacent schools
  • Environmental Sustainability with LEED ND Gold v4 (or equivalent) at the neighborhood level, LEED-BD+C Core and Shell Gold v4 (or equivalent) for the office component, LEED-NC v4 Gold, LEED-Multifamily Mid-Rise v4 (or equivalent) for the residential and senior housing components, and LEED-NC Silver v4 (or equivalent) for the hotel component.
  • Pedestrian-oriented streets and easy pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile access to the site
  • Parking garages with spaces for offices, apartment and condominium residents, and hotel and retail visitors, and special event parking for schools.
  • Approximately 150 - 250 units of senior housing to allow residents to age in place within the City.
  • Approximately 325,000 square feet of Class A commercial office space in phase 1 and 2.
  • Approximately 197 - 302 units of for sale condominiums and approximately 400 units of multi-family traditional and “micro” apartments.
  • Affordable Dwelling Units equal to 6% of the total number of dwelling units including independent living units.
  • Large central open space to serve as a gathering place and venue for community events.
  • Approximately 123,000 square feet of retail uses including a potential 40,000 square foot grocer.
  • Approximately 13,000 square feet programmable civic space which includes approximately 3,000 square feet of event space/conference center, 4,000 gross square feet of outdoor space in the Commons that can be used for music/entertainment, and an additional 8,000 to 14,000 gross square feet occupied by performing arts/education studio or school use.
  • A limited or full-service hotel with approximately 146 rooms.
  • Learn more about the public-private partnership here.

Public Input


For questions or comments please contact these City employees:
Public Space Perspective
WFC Map Updated June 15