The landscape of North Glebe Road in Arlington, Virginia, is set for a significant transformation as the County Board has given the green light to a mixed-use redevelopment project. This ambitious plan will revitalize the area currently occupied by the Harris Teeter grocery store and the American Service Center, formerly known as Pre-Owned Mercedes Benz of Arlington at 600 N. Glebe Rd, Arlington VA, injecting new vibrancy into the neighborhood.
According to Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey, this project is poised to deliver a multitude of benefits to the Ballston area. Beyond introducing hundreds of new residences, the development ensures the presence of an expanded Harris Teeter, complemented by diverse retail offerings and a newly created public open space spanning over half an acre. This initiative aims to reshape a traditionally car-centric commercial zone into a more pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use community, fostering a better equilibrium of urban elements. Further community enhancements include a $4.1 million contribution towards affordable housing, the establishment of new public street connections, upgrades to traffic signals at the intersection of Randolph Street and Glebe Road, and the crucial replacement of a major water main beneath Glebe Road.
Rendering of planned public open space in the N. Glebe Rd mixed-use development, Arlington VA
The unanimous decision by the Board encompasses amendments to the General Land Use Plan and existing site plans, alongside rezoning and other necessary actions to facilitate the redevelopment. Detailed information about the project can be found in the staff report available on the County website, specifically under Item No. 37 of the Saturday, November 16, Regular County Board Meeting agenda.
The approved plan outlines the replacement of the existing single-story Harris Teeter, the American Service Center which formerly housed Pre-Owned Mercedes Benz of Arlington, and an adjacent single-family home with a contemporary urban complex. This will comprise two nine-story buildings and one seven-story building, collectively housing 732 apartments, 77,575 square feet of retail space, and 942 parking spaces. To enhance connectivity, the developer is tasked with extending North Tazewell Street and North Randolph Street into the development block.
One of the buildings, strategically positioned to front N. Glebe Road, North Randolph Street, and North Tazewell Street, will integrate apartments above a state-of-the-art Harris Teeter supermarket. This building will also feature a central private courtyard and an expansive green roof. Responding to community and board input, an additional 10,000 square feet of green roof was mandated by the Board, further emphasizing sustainable development practices. The second building, dedicated entirely to residential use, will face North Tazewell Street and include amenities such as a private dog run and two private courtyards for residents. The third building, completing the ensemble, will offer apartments above ground-floor retail spaces, with frontage on North Glebe Road, North Randolph Street, and North Tazewell Street, creating a vibrant street-level experience.
The project is slated for phased construction. Crucially, the existing Harris Teeter will remain operational during the initial phase, ensuring uninterrupted service to the community while the first building and the new Harris Teeter are constructed. The highly anticipated public open space is planned for development in the second phase, adding a valuable recreational and community-gathering amenity.
Public Open Space and Community Engagement
The developer’s commitment extends to the creation and maintenance of an approximately 0.63-acre public open space within the site. The design of this space, informed by the Public Spaces Master Plan and the North Quincy Street Plan Addendum, is envisioned as a balanced environment. It will incorporate casual use areas with biophilic design elements, a variety of plantings including pollinator-friendly species, a 2,000 square foot enclosed dog run, ample new trees, educational environmental nodes, accessible pathways, seating, bike racks, and lighting. The design has already benefited from public engagement facilitated by County Parks staff during the summer of 2019, ensuring the space reflects community needs and preferences.
Infrastructure and Public Review
Modernization of infrastructure is a key component of the project. All overhead utilities serving the site will be placed underground, with the developer contributing $345,000 to the County’s underground utility fund. Furthermore, an in-building wireless first responders network will be installed, enhancing public safety communications within the new development.
The site plan, initially submitted in November 2018, underwent a thorough public review process. The Planning Commission’s Site Plan Review Committee dedicated three meetings to scrutinizing the plan, commencing in April 2019. This iterative review process led to significant design and layout modifications, including an expanded public open space, improved building aesthetics, tapered building heights, reduced ground-level parking, and enhanced pedestrian orientation. The proposed project also received evaluations from the County’s Parks and Recreation, Transportation, and Planning Commissions, ensuring a comprehensive and multi-faceted assessment.
