With extensive construction on the horizon for Richmond Highway, Fairfax County has been handed a roadmap to help manage the impact, preserve the area’s heritage, support local businesses and keep the community engaged.
Last week, the nonprofit consulting group Urban Land Institute (ULI) released a report with a blueprint for redevelopment along the upcoming 7.4-mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route from the Huntington Metro Station to Fort Belvoir.
Supported by a widening of Richmond Highway scheduled to start construction in 2027, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation’s $937 million BRT project got the federal government’s approval to proceed with engineering in June. It’s expected to be operational by late 2031.
Commissioned by the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC) and the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development, the report recommends strategies for minimizing construction disruptions while enhancing the area’s character through public art and small green spaces — specifically along the southern, 4-mile stretch from Hybla Valley to Fort Belvoir.
“The Richmond Highway Corridor Placemaking report is a testament to the collaborative effort required to envision and realize a vibrant, inclusive future for the corridor,” the SFDC said in a summary. “It underscores the importance of proactive planning, community involvement, and strategic implementation to navigate the challenges and harness the opportunities presented by upcoming developments.”
To develop the report, ULI conducted a two-day study nearly seven months ago, where local land use experts analyzed four miles of Richmond Highway, from Jeff Todd Way to Lockheed Blvd, to pinpoint areas for growth and improvement.
ULI presented its initial analysis and recommendations to the community in February, promising to provide a more detailed report at a later date.
The final recommendations center on four main pillars: highlighting the area’s history, improving communication between residents and local government, supporting small businesses and mitigating the potential economic fallout caused upcoming construction projects.
To support historical preservation, the report recommends the use of murals, sculptures, and other creative projects as visual landmarks that convey the corridor’s history and diversity. A “Community History” mural, for example, could highlight the area’s past, particularly neighborhoods like Gum Springs, the oldest African-American community in Fairfax County.
The former Mount Vernon High School is also a focal point. ULI suggests the redeveloping site could host pop-up markets and serve as a community gathering space, capitalizing on its central location and historical significance.
Additionally, the report underscores a critical need for enhanced communication strategies to better inform and engage residents, arguing that relying on grassroots methods, such as word-of-mouth and localized initiatives, might not effectively reaching Fairfax’s diverse neighborhoods.
ULI recommends providing updates through more streamlined channels, such as centralized online platforms, regular newsletters and community bulletin boards, and appointing a community liaison to ensure residents, business owners and visitors stay informed as the corridor evolves.
The report also outlines strategies to ensure that small businesses survive and thrive during and after the BRT construction. Proposals include pop-up markets, outdoor dining areas and temporary retail operations to generate foot traffic and boost business activity.
The county could also offer discounted advisory services and specialized marketing, including promotional campaigns and events like neighborhood days or restaurant weeks to spotlight local businesses.
Anticipating disruptions from future construction and development, ULI put forward a two-pronged approach aimed at alleviating traffic congestion, property access problems and shifts in customer behavior.
One strategy calls for placing large, visible signs that direct shoppers to open businesses and emphasize local retail hubs. The other involves enhancing construction zones with murals, temporary art and innovative installations to make the area more attractive to visitors.
The report highlights major transit hubs, including the Huntington Metro Station and upcoming BRT stops, as ideal locations for pop-up markets and temporary retail spaces to take advantage of the foot traffic.
Mobile outreach kiosks or visitors centers could offer information, coffee and entertainment, acting as temporary hubs that promote local businesses and community events.
To ensure the long-term viability of small businesses, the report recommends creating trails and special events that showcase business clusters, such as thrift stores, food vendors, and music venues. Temporary permits could be issued for “streeteries,” parklets, beer gardens or other activities that would give businesses additional revenue during construction periods.
Lastly, the report emphasizes the need for flexibility in using outdoor spaces and suggests adding green areas and playgrounds near retail locations to keep the area inviting to residents.
In February, ULI panelists identified eight possible sites for placemaking projects along the corridor, based on their historical importance, ease of access, potential for market success, ownership, role as community gateways, and suitability for temporary events or installations:
- Gum Springs gateway and wetlands
- A vacant former 7-Eleven site at 8010 Richmond Highway
- Original Mount Vernon High School
- Various bridges and stream valleys
- The Aldi parking lot at 8256 Richmond Highway
- Mount Vernon Crossroads
- The Residences at North Hill
- The Gerry Hyland Government Center
The panel offered examples of landscaping buffer designs around the South County Government Center and the Residences at North Hill. They also proposed a temporary market in the Aldi shopping center’s parking lot as a future project.
The responsibility of managing and maintaining placemaking projects would depend on the individual projects and who’s involved, SFDC Executive Director Evan Kaufman previously told FFXnow.
