Makeover proposed for over 50-year-old Springfield gas station

Fairfax County is considering a plan to make over part of the Ravensworth Shell Station, which has served the area for more than 50 years.

Applicant Capital Services, Inc. has filed plans with the county to convert its existing service station building into a convenience store at 5200 Port Royal Road in Springfield.

The station is part of the Ravensworth Shopping Center, which county records indicate was originally built in 1965. It was last remodeled in 1983 when the gas pumps were shifted and a canopy was added over the pumps. It currently includes four service bays, back offices and a vehicle lift.

An application before the Fairfax County Planning Commission notes that the changes would add roughly 200 square feet to the building. The existing gas pumps and canopy will not be affected.

“The conversion of the four service bays into the convenience store, and the continued operation of the six fuel pumps is expected to increase the overall daily trips for the site from the current 3,128 trips to 4,033 trips, or an additional 905 daily trips,” the application says.

The applicant plans to convert the existing northernmost curb cut on Port Royal Road into a right-turn only for southbound drivers in order to allow tanker trucks to access and service underground fuel tanks easily.

“This proposal is a unique opportunity to allow a long-standing business to adapt to changing market conditions in order to continue serving the surrounding community,” legal representative David Gill wrote in a statement to the county. “The proposal will provide a convenience store use that will serve the needs of motorists, while improving the traffic operations and safety of this portion of Ravensworth Shopping Center.”

The Fairfax County Planning Commission is expected to discuss the proposal on May 22 at 7:30 p.m. The owner did not return requests for comment from FFXnow.