West Falls Development Delay Sought By Developers

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The developers behind the future West Falls mixed-use development are seeking changes to the comprehensive agreement with the City of Falls Church.

Falls Church Gateway Partners, the group of developers chosen to develop the old George Mason High School site, plan to bring a development with hotel, office, civic space, senior housing, condos and apartment uses. Those elements aren't proposed to change, but the team is seeking to delay the delivery date by approximately six months.

In addition, the developers want to reduce the annual capitalized lease payments from $7 million to $4.5 million, or a total reduction from $34.5 million to $25.5 million. Under the proposal, the $200,000 ground rent payments would start earlier and escalate at a higher rate (2.75 percent versus 2 percent).

Falls Church Gateway Partners plans to carry out the demolition of the old George Mason High School by May 29, 2021. School staff are starting to move to the new George Mason High School building on Dec. 18. A separate transportation project that will add multimodal improvements and aim to reduce congestion around the development area has started with utility undergrounding and sanitary sewer installation.

The proposal by the developers was discussed during Monday's City Council meeting. A virtual community meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Residents can learn about the proposal and ask questions. A recording will be posted on YouTube.