Politics & Government

City Receives Offer for E. Braddock Property

Proposal made for mixed use development on 400 block

The City of Alexandria is contemplating an unsolicited offer for municipal property located at 401 E. Braddock Road. On Tuesday, the City Council declared the property a surplus, opening the door for sale of the land.

The city received the offer from Yates Holding Company, LLC. During a presentation to council on Tuesday, city staff mentioned that “an adjacent landowner” made the offer with plans for “mixed-use development.”

is located just across Mt. Vernon Avenue from the property, providing a strong but unconfirmed hint about who is behind the offer.

Find out what's happening in Del Raywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to a city memo, the redevelopment proposal entered by Yates Holding includes not only the sliver of land located a 401 E. Braddock but also other parcels, including the nearby 7-Eleven. That means the parcels would have to be consolidated.

“We feel it is a very legitimate project that has many positive attributes,” said Gwen Wright of the city’s Planning Department.

Find out what's happening in Del Raywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Wright said no rezoning would be necessary for the development and that it would have to go through the special use permit application process with the city. Wright also added that outreach to the community has already begun and that there has been “a generally favorable response.”

The memo suggests the proposal can be heard in June by the Planning Commission and City Council if “all proceeds are contemplated.”

Before any of that can begin, however, City Manager Jim Hartmann must decide if the proposed use of the land is in the best interest of the city. The parcel is scheduled for an appraisal. Tax assessment records have it valued at $539,957.

A message with Yates ownership was not returned on Thursday.

“Just because we declare something a surplus doesn’t mean we’re compelled to sell,” Vice Mayor Kerry Donley said Tuesday. “If we don’t like the price and don’t like the proposal, we don’t have to sell.”

The property was the site of a gas station since the 1950s. It was acquired by the city in the 1980s after making some transportation improvements to the intersection at E. Braddock Road and Mt. Vernon Avenue.

In 1988, several underground storage tanks were removed from the property. It was discovered in 2002 that the soil was contaminated by petroleum. In December 2003, the site was deemed clear of contamination.

With its proximity to the Braddock Road Metro station, the site appears to be an ideal residential location for commuting workers. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here