Potomac River Generating Station Tours Draw High Interest: Photos

ALEXANDRIA, VA — After purchase of the Potomac River Generating Station site in Old Town North, Hilco Redevelopment Partners offered tours to residents on Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5.

The tours drew plenty of interest from the public, as the site has been closed off for decades. Both tour dates sold out with 500 people signed up, according to Hilco Redevelopment Partners. Additional tour opportunities will be provided later in 2021.

The 18-acre Potomac River Generating Station site is one of the redevelopment sites identified in the Old Town North Small Area Plan approved by City Council in 2017. The plan calls for a mixed-use development with innovation uses for the site. The former power plant had been decommissioned in 2012.

Hilco Redevelopment Partners purchased the site in 2020 and indicated it wants to bring a mixed-use development to the site. A news release announcing the purchase indicated Pepco will retain a property interest on part of the site, where it will retain an electrical substation.

"Hilco Redevelopment Partners is committed to remediating this extraordinary site to the most current environmental standards and transforming it into a new and exciting development that will best serve the community and create economic growth and opportunity for all stakeholders," said Roberto Perez, CEO of Hilco Redevelopment Partners, in a news release announcing the purchase. "We approach every redevelopment opportunity in a way that is sustainable for the environment, sustainable for the community, and sustainable for jobs."

Aside from the tours, two community meetings have been held so far about the redevelopment of the former power plant site. Meeting video and more information can be found on the city's and Hilco Redevelopment Partners project sites.

Patch reader Ernest Lilley went on the Saturday tour and shared his photos with Patch. Below are some highlights from the photo gallery.