Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Arlington Board Approves Site Plan for Remaining Pentagon Centre Parcel
Mixed-use plan incorporates multi-modal transit options
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Board late Monday night (July 21) approved a Phased Development Site Plan (PDSP) for Pentagon Centre, a new high density, mixed-use complex in the Pentagon City area. With the approval of this PDSP, the entire Pentagon City area is now covered by multi-year master planning.
The County Board also approved a final site plan, which represents Phase I under the new PDSP – for two office buildings, to include retail and parking. The PDSP is the site of a current retail center, which includes Costco, Marshall’s, Best Buy, and others. These retailers will remain and the site plan accommodates the continued presence and operation of the existing retail businesses.
“With this phased development site plan, we at last have the full picture of the future of Pentagon City,” said County Board Chairman J. Walter Tejada. “This mixed-use development at the heart of Pentagon City aligns well with our strategic priorities of smart growth, multi-modal transit options and green buildings.”
Transit-oriented development
The development covered by the approved PDSP and site plan sits atop the Pentagon City Metro station – at the heart of Pentagon City. The approved site plan includes two office buildings – and an above-grade parking garage -- in the first phase:
- Office building A: 20-story building, 333,599 sq ft, including 13,095 sq ft of ground floor retail. This
building will provide a focal point and entrance for the Metro station. - Office building C: 8-story building, 152,112 sq ft, including 14,600 sq ft of ground floor retail.
- Parking garage (building D): 7-story parking structure, with additional office and retail space fronting the garage – in addition to the existing retail on site.
The approved plan begins to implement the final piece of the development plan puzzle for the entire Pentagon City area. The original Pentagon City Phased Development Site Plan (PDSP), approved in 1976, “laid the foundation for a long-term effort to build a new urban center with a dynamic mix of residential units, hotels, offices and retail establishments” (from the report of the Pentagon City Planning Task Force, November 1997). The current 16.8-acre site comprises a 337,900 sq ft warehouse facility that was built in the 1950's.
The parcel is located between two Metro stations and is accessible by many modes of transportation, including Metrorail, Metrobus, Arlington Transit (ART), bicycle and pedestrian. The project includes a comprehensive Transportation Demand Management Plan that includes a Transportation Coordinator, Arlington County Commuter Services, transit information services, a Coordinated Area Parking Plan and transit subsidy.
Green buildings
All buildings developed under the Pentagon Centre PDSP will be LEED™ certified, include elements of
sustainable design, and roof design that mitigates heat island effects. (LEED is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the U.S. Green Building Council’s rating system.) Both office buildings (A&C) will be certified at LEED Silver.
While the parking structure (Building D) is not eligible to meet Silver level LEED certification, this building will minimize its environmental impact. This will include elements that reduce the heat island effect through light colored top deck finishes, incorporate recycled content, non-toxic material, energy efficient lighting that minimizes light pollution, energy efficient ventilation systems, and rainwater harvesting.
In addition, the above-grade parking structure will include a green screen on all facades of the building.
Public process
A number of public meetings have been held on the proposed project:
- Planning Commission’s Long-Range Planning Committee – 3 meetings
- Site Plan Review Committee – 8 Meetings
- Transportation Commission
- Housing Commission
- Planning Commission
Read the full staff report (item 53).
Project-at-a-Glance
Owner/developer:
PL Pentagon LLC, c/o Kimco Realty Corporation, 3535 Factoria Blvd., SE, Bellevue, WA 98006
To reach the developer, contact: William L. Brown, (425) 641-9716, bbrown (at) kimcorealty (dot) com
Architect:
Callison Architects with MTFA Architecture
Timetable:
PDSP would be built-out upon expiration of existing retail tenant leases. Phase I would be immediate; Phase II would be intermediate, with the expiration of the big box retail tenant leases; Phase III would be upon the expiration of the existing Costco lease.
Community benefits:
- Dedication of right-of-way to provide for future transit improvements on 12th Street
- Commuter Store and Bicycle Storage Facility
- Affordable Housing contribution
- LEED™ Certification
- Public Art contribution of $75,000
- Utility Undergrounding contribution of $423,500
- $500,000 contribution -- to be allocated by the County Manager for community improvements. Such improvements might include: construction of a water park at the adjacent Virginia Highlands Park; subsidies to reduce the rent for an Urgent Care Facility; contribution toward Pentagon City Metro Plaza improvements; and/or the provision of new bus shelters.
- Green Screen façade on the above-grade parking structure
- Refreshed façade of the existing retail and restaurant development on S. Hayes Street
- Shared parking garages (available to the public on weeknights and weekdays)
- Landscape improvements at the intersection of 15th and S. Fern
Arlington County media contact: Diana Sun, 703-228-3247.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.