For many years when one drove up and down Van Dorn one only saw vacant warehouses and dilapidated buildings as you neared Edsall Road. Pickett street had a mix of the same. The area felt very industrial with great access to many things; yet very little access at the same time.
There has been very little development and progress for the
West End of Alexandria; even as one saw development on Eisenhower and Duke
street (Cameron Station). Pickett has had a condo/townhouse development that
has largely remained forgotten. Trade
Center Shopping Center has Home depot and some smaller companies; however, the
area has really seen very little progress in years. Landmark/West End of Alexandria
has really felt like a forgotten realm in Alexandria City.
The area felt very suppressed but at the same time, one
could also see what it could become. There are many positives of the area with
very few negatives.
Location of the West End could be considered “prime”. It is near two metro stops, convenient
access to 495, 95, 395, and Fairfax County Parkway, Pentagon City, Kingstowne,
DC inner Harbor and DC itself. While, the location is convenient to those with
cars, it lacks accessibility on foot. It
is not convenient to walk anywhere, there are no parks, or walking paths nearby.
Crossing Van Dorn and Duke Street is extremely
difficult due to how busy the roads are. The metro is only one mile away but
walking is not really an option. What it lacks in walk-ability – it does make up
for in public transportation access.
I have always found the West End to be a diamond in the
rough due to its convenient location and knew it was a matter of time before my
little gem would shine.
Alexandria City also saw the potential and in 2009 adopted
the Landmark/Van Dorn Corridor Plan which envisions the redevelopment of Landmark
mall and the land to the south; which includes Van Dorn from the mall to
Pickett Street and Pickett street from Van Dorn to Duke Street. The plans have a walkable network of urban
neighborhoods with a mix of commercial retail, office spaces, and
residential. A bridge over Duke street
would connect the new Landmark Mall with the neighborhoods to the south. There are also plans for improved accessibility
to Van Dorn Metro. The largest missing component
of the West end is its walk-ability and the proposed plan resolves this issue.
In 2016 progress was made in the development of Pickett
Street as Trade Center Shopping Center has been receiving a major face-lift to
the centers common area structure. Many of the older retail stores have left
with newer stores coming in. New luxury town-home/condos
have been erected near the Mercedes dealership where the old bowling alley use
to be. This development is mostly sold out with more units to be delivered
throughout the year.
One of the biggest improvements to the area has been the
completion of the mixed-use apartment and commercial retail complex on Van Dorn
and Pickett. The apartment complex
features underground garage parking, media room, gym and large apartments. The retail space features a dental office,
Starbucks, Jimmy John’s, Smash-burger, and a new Porter brew-house and will be
opening. The biggest downfall of the building is parking. Depending on the time of day it can be very
difficult to find a space. Once the brew-house opens the parking situation will
be even worse. The retail managers have
been speaking with the apartment complex owners to work towards a resolution;
however, at this time nothing has been agreed upon. It is my favorite spot to grab a cup of
coffee in spite of the parking situation.
The next phase of development is occurring at the corner of
Pickett street, Edsall and Cameron Station Boulevard. Cameron Park is going to feature another mixed-use
building that will have apartments, four story town-homes, retail, public park,
underground parking, and a pedestrian bridge with direct access to Van Dorn
Metro. Currently, the metro is .5 miles
away on the other side of train tracks with no access. Cameron Park will also
be home to a 116 suite Senior living facility owned by Brandywine Senior
living. Completion date for Cameron park
is 2017.
Current and future residents will benefit from the
development in increased home values, improved walk-ability to retail and metro,
jobs, increased tax revenue, access to parks, restaurants, and entertainment.
The “diamond in the rough” that is the West End -- is set to
be our little gem.
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