Welcoming Change in Merrifield

Town Center Proposal to Bring Shops, Offices and Condominiums Viewed Favorably

By Amy Gardner
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 20, 2007; Page VA18

Efforts to revitalize Merrifield, a cluttered crossroads of carwashes, auto shops and a huge equipment rental yard, continued this month with the introduction of a proposal to build a town center of shops, offices, condominiums and a new movie complex at Lee Highway and Gallows Road.

Unlike other parts of Fairfax County such as Tysons Corner and areas within walking distance of the Vienna Metro station, Merrifield's ongoing urbanization is yielding little opposition from neighbors worried about dense new development and traffic. At a Planning Commission public hearing last week, most speakers lauded the Merrifield Town Center proposal as a welcome infusion of life for the growing number of townhouse and condominium dwellers in the corridor.

"Merrifield needs a town center, and this is a very creative proposal," said Del. James M. Scott (D-Fairfax), whose district includes Merrifield and who testified at the hearing. "It does help to promote pedestrian access and housing for people who actually work in the area."

Merrifield's prime location -- just outside the Capitol Beltway, just south of Interstate 66 and a little more than a half-mile from the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station -- prompted county officials several years ago to develop a far-reaching plan to transform the area from a sprawling, semi-industrial hodgepodge into a concentration of homes, offices and shopping.

Source: The Washington Post. View Article.

Back to main News and Info page.