$70M Mixed-Use Project Pushes Ahead

CLARENDON, VA-Plans for 2900 Clarendon, a $70-million mixed-use development project downtown, have gotten the go-ahead from the County Board of Arlington. Board members recently signed-off on the site plan, as well as the necessary rezoning of the designated land from General Commercial District to Commercial Office Building/Hotel/Multiple-Family Dwelling District. A group called Clarendon Development Associates, which is comprised of an entity of Bush Cos. and Highland Associates, is behind the concept and development of the project. Marketing and construction are on track to begin sometime during the second quarter of 2003.

Bound by Clarendon Blvd., North Fillmore St., 11th St. North, and North Garfield St., 2900 Clarendon will be erected in three different segments. “The first phase will be the office/retail portion of approximately 86,000 gross sf, and 70 for-sale condominiums,” Bush Construction Corp.’s Andy Viola tells GlobeSt.com. “In addition, in conjunction with the first phase, the entire garage of approximately 560 parking spaces will be constructed. The second and third phases of the project, consisting of solely residential condominiums, will follow suit such that the project should be completed and sold by the fourth quarter of 2005.” All together, there will ultimately be four mixed-use buildings.

For county officials, the proposed project is a welcome addition to the area. “This development is important to the area because it meets the overall county objective and plan that has been in place since the 1960s, which is to concentrate density in and around transportation,” Arlington County spokesman Matt Martin explains to GlobeSt.com. The location is just one block away from a Metro station. “The most important fact about the project is that it is mixed-use,” he continues. “That’s important to Clarendon because it has historically been a mixed-use neighborhood. There is a fear that it would become either an all-commercial development or a bedroom community. The Board wants to maintain a balance.” Also, Martin points to the contribution that the developer will be making to the county’s affordable housing program as a condition of approval. Clarendon Development Associates will contribute nearly $1.5 million to Arlington County, $1 million of which will go directly to the Clarendon community.