Partial tax break gets approved for Skyline redevelopment in Bailey’s Crossroads

The redevelopment of two empty commercial buildings in the Bailey’s Crossroads areas has been approved — along with a nearly $14 million partial tax break from Fairfax County.

At a meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 21), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved funds for the Skyline project through the county’s Economic Incentive Program, which allows qualifying properties to receive funds in the county’s five Commercial Revitalization Districts (CRDs).

Other CRDs are located in Annandale, McLean, Richmond Highway and Springfield, along with the revitalization area of Lincolnia. The program was designed to provide financial incentives to the private sector on projects that rely on assembling and developing properties.

The project would connect the long-vacant duo of office buildings (5113 and 5111 Leesburg Pike) into up to 510 live-and-work units, ranging from 600 to 1,300 square feet in size.

In a memo, county staff said that the project provides “crucial” affordable housing for families earning from 60 to 80% of the area median income.

Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross said the repurposing of the buildings is an important step to revitalize the area.

“Vacant office buildings don’t enhance community but work-life communities revitalize our community,” she said.

The buildings currently have nine office floors and a penthouse level on top of a three-story parking garage. The connecting building at 5109 Leesburg Pike would remain standing as commercial space.

The shift comes after Skyline buildings one through three received county approval in July and September 2020 for a similar repurposing of office space to up to 720 “live/work” units.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay called the proposal an “excellent” and “creative” use of funds in an area of the county that needs additional support.