Consideration Of West Falls Church Development Changes Coming Up

FALLS CHURCH, VA — After the developers behind the future West Falls Church mixed-used development proposed amendments to the city, a second town hall meeting will be held on Friday, Jan. 8. According to the city's website, a public hearing and final consideration of the proposed amendments are scheduled for Jan. 11.

The developers, known as Falls Church Gateway Partners, had been chosen to bring a development with hotel, office, civic space, senior housing, condos and apartment uses to the 10-acre old George Mason High School site after the new school was completed. But the COVID-19 pandemic's impacts on commercial real estate prompted the developers to propose amendments to the comprehensive agreement with the city.

The proposed amendments from the Falls Church Gateway Partners were presented during a Dec. 14 City Council meeting. While the hotel, office space, civic space, senior housing, condos and apartments ratios will stay the same, the team is seeking to delay the delivery date by approximately six months.

Other amendments sought by the team include a reduction in capitalized ground lease payments, an increase in ground rent payments over a 99-year term, and new or revised profit share provisions. These amendments would come with the conditions of completing the demolition of the old George Mason High School by the end of May and completing the negotiation of transactional agreements with the grocer, office developer, and senior component developer on or by March 1.

In a presentation to City Council, City Manager Wyatt Shields cited a "constriction in commercial real estate markets for new investments in hotel, office, and retail" due to the pandemic. The changes were sought so the developers could "proceed with obtaining financing for the project."

The virtual town hall will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. City staff and developer representatives will give a 15-minute presentation and take questions. Questions may be submitted in advance to townhall@fallschurchva.gov.

The meeting link and more information are provided at www.fallschurchva.gov/1599/West-Falls-Church-Project.