Image courtesy of Fairfax County
The Franconia Governmental Center located at 6121 Franconia Rd. could soon be redeveloped into affordable housing.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the County, and Lee District in particular, to reinforce our priority for affordable homes as a cornerstone in future development in our communities,” said Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk during a March 9 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, when ownership of the site was transferred to Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing (FCRHA). “With its connection to public transportation, employment centers, schools, business and services, the opportunities for this site to provide homes that serve as a firm foundation for economic stability, social connectedness and overall well-being are simply extraordinary.”
FCRHA is currently accepting proposals to redevelop the 3.25 acres site, which is occupied by a 28,000 square foot brick building built in 1991. The building houses the office of the Lee District Supervisor, the Franconia Police Station and the Franconia Museum. The facility is outdated and does not properly support operations, officials said.
Developers will have to comply with three main constraints. The number of units cannot exceed 120, the building cannot be more than four stories high and 20 percent of the units must be made available to the Fairfax County magnet housing program for qualified police, fire, teachers and medical personnel.
Image courtesy of Fairfax County
Rendering of proposed new Franconia Governmental Center and Kingstowne Regional Library
The development will also be expected to contribute to the diversity of housing options in the area, promote a vibrant community where residents can live, work and play, be of high-quality design, contain an appropriate amount of open space and enhance pedestrian and bicycle connections. More information on the application process can be found here. Applications for development are due by 2 p.m. on April 14.
The operations and services currently located at the Franconia Governmental Center are slated to vacate the building by summer of 2024. They will be moved to a new facility located at county-owned vacant site between Beulah Street, Silver Lake Boulevard and Interparcel Road, just south of Manchester Boulevard. The proposed 90,000 square foot facility will also house the Active Adult Center (currently located at 6488 Lansdowne Ctr.), Kingstowne Library (currently located at 6500 Landsdowne Ctr.) and a new childcare center for infants to pre-kindergarten children.
