Archive for the 'Potomac Yard/Greens' Category
Station at Potomac Yards Celebrates Grand Opening
October 17th, 2009 Categories: Alexandria, Potomac Yard/Greens
The Station at Potomac Yards - a mixed used commercial and residential space - celebrated its grand opening today with a ceremony in the new, state of the art Fire Station #209, the first in Alexandria in more than 30 years.
Despite the cold and constant rain, more than 150 people turned out for the ceremonies and the tours that followed.
It was a great chance to get a first hand look at the station that will serve Del Ray and provide a permanent home for specialized hazardous waste equipment.
The station was designed with an eye to the future and can accommodate a larger staff if warranted and serve as a command post in times of national emergency.
Conveniently arranged on one level (no more sliding down a pole), the station has a large eat in kitchen with floor to ceiling windows, an all purpose “family” room, 15 individual sleeping rooms, each with a single bed, table, chair, light and phone; four large bathrooms, laundry rooms, conference rooms and office, training and storage space.
As much fun as we had though, it was clear that the day belonged to little boys.
Heuer, Dane, Nolan
With fireman’s hats, boots and slickers, it was a day for inspecting the equipment, sitting in the drivers seat and soaking up lots to tell mom.
Kudos to the City of Alexandria for the public/private cooperation that made the Station at Potomac Yards a reality. For more, click here.
Michael
Related stories:
Potomac Yard Development Expands with New Fire Station and Sewage Pumping Station
Old Town Greens/Potomac Greens - Neighborhoods That Are Not What They Seem and Just Where You May Want to Be.
| Currently No Comments »
Potomac Yard Development Expands with New Fire Station and Sewage Pumping Station
April 28th, 2009 Categories: Potomac Yard/Greens, Real Estate News
The long planned mixed use development of Potomac Yard is well underway. The first building, now in the final phases of construction, will house, among other things, a new fire station that will serve the Del Ray area and replace the current, historic station on East Windsor.
Planning documents from the city offer this additional information about the building, a cornerstone of this massive development (square footage is approximate):
- 168,000 sq. ft. with five stories;
- 24,800 sq. ft. fire station, slightly larger than the Powhatan Station;
- Four floors of residential space above the fire station, comprised of 64 units of affordable apartments, ranging in size from 700
to 1,300 sq. ft.; - 1,500 sq. ft. of retail space at the southwest corner of the building;
- Two-level underground parking garage for residents, fire personnel and retail; and service drive along the north side of the site for service and access to the underground parking.
The report goes on to say ” In a manner similar to City Hall’s function in the heart of Old Town, the proposed fire station building will have an open space and plaza area setback from Main Street, meeting rooms for the community, and a tower all of which enhances its role as a prominent civic building. The building will mix the City functions, bringing fire personnel to Main Street and Potomac Yard, and surrounding the fire protection function with housing, shops and neighborhood open spaces.”
The main entrance to the building, the retail shops and the tower face are on the side facing into the development (Main St.) rather than Rt. 1.
To read the full report and see architectural drawings, click here.
Another, less glamorous, addition to the space is a sewage pumping station that will take on major significance once the development is finished. Thanks to strong architectural considerations, the station is traditional in design and will ultimately fade into the background.
One of the major thorough fares into the development is Potomac Street at the foot of the new Monroe St. Bridge. Currently a work in progress, it will eventually be accessed with its own turn lane and traffic light.
In the meantime parts of the open space continue to house non-stop weekend soccer games for young and old alike as well as a rental car maintenance facility.
It will be years before Potomac Yard is fully developed and utilized but it’s off to a good start. As a Realtor who is always looking at property values and great housing opportunities, believe me, I have my eye on this one.
Want to know more about what’s selling in this area? Give me a call at 703.927.4554 and let’s take a look.
Michael
| Currently 3 Comments »
Old Town Greens/Potomac Greens - Neighborhoods That Are Not What They Seem and Just Where You May Want to Be.
April 18th, 2008 Categories: Potomac Yard/Greens, Real Estate News
Ten years ago when developers were planning Old Town Greens, a mix of 145 townhomes and 128 stacked townhouses at the very southern end of Potomac Yards, they envisioned a community that would entice singles and two-income adult families. And why not? Washington was one stop light away on the George Washington Parkway, Reagan National Airport was a 10 minute cab ride, shops, and dining were just blocks away in Old Town and Del Ray. Convenience and location were key words.
Additional amenities and improved transportation options have added to the convenience of this area but the demographic has changed. In the first four years after the development welcomed its initial home owners, a baby boom swept the community and the under-five population went from three to well over 60. Six years later, babies are still an integral part of all planning.
Located between Jeff Davis Highway (Rt. 1) on the west and the George Washington Parkway on the east, the “Greens” are an unlikely isle of serenity in what will eventually be a highly developed mixed use area. There are only two entrances into the complex and numerous, wide, one way streets help control traffic. As one long time resident and former association president, noted, “Nobody comes in here unless they live here or are visiting.
The recent addition of Potomac Plaza, home to Zagat rated Rustico and Buzz, as well as the Russian Gourmet shop, a Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the Jon Ric Salon and Spa, dress shop Periwinkle, a dry cleaner and children’s clothing store, brings walkable amenities - and creates yet another buffer between residents and Slater’s Lane, a main thoroughfare between Rt. 1 and the George Washington Parkway.
The second development, Potomac Greens, opened its first buildings in 2005 and when it is completed later this year will add almost 200 new townhomes to the area.
Small but important changes reflect the number of under-five residents - a volley ball court (originally intended for young singles) was turned into a playground although the tennis courts still remain. Bike and walking trails have been created through the wetlands that are an important part of this land tract. A pedestrian foot bridge to connect with a still to be developed retail area is in the planning stages . There is a children’s Halloween parade and a Fourth of July party. The pools (one in each community) are “big happy places” and a beehive of activity during the summer months.
And my favorite - the last four hours of the pool season (generally the weekend after Labor Day) are devoted to neighborhood dogs - swimming, retrieving, playing, diving, etc. One father, just back from a long and not inexpensive trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, noted that for sheer entertainment value, “dogs in the pool” was better than anything he, or his still in diapers toddler, had seen. Simple pleasures indeed.
Stability seems to be a key word here. Only ten homes were sold in the past 12 months in Potomac Greens and prices ranged from a low of $655,000 to a high of $1.1 million for an end unit. The nine homes currently on the market have an average asking price of $844,000. Two, three and four bedroom units run from almost 1700 sq. ft. in size to just over 3400 sq. ft.
Old Town Greens saw 19 sales in the same time period with an average price of $581,505. Four active listings with an average price tag of $753,375 include a two bedroom at 1,216 sq. ft. and a four bedroom unit with 3,122 sq. ft.
If you want to know more about this community or are interested in seeing any of these properties, please call me at 703.927.4554.
Thanks for stopping by,
Michael
| Currently 2 Comments »
