Arlington Developments in Ballston

We’ve all been wondering when the last remaining original structure at Ballston will go.  Some very strong advocates against further development will be very disappointed to hear that yesterday the Arlington County Board approved a mixed-use project for the last unplanned redevelopment site in the Ballston Metro station area. The project will replace the former Bob Peck car dealership with office buildings, affordable apartments, townhouses and retail space.

Some considered the Bob Peck car dealership to be an eye sore;  others thought it was a cool, sort of retro design that was the last reminder of what Ballston used to be.  I actually think both are right!   For those who are not so familiar with Ballston, the Peck dealership is (was) located at Glebe Road and Wilson Boulevard. 

The new project will include two office buildings, incorporating more than 400,000 square feet of office space and 36,000 square feet of retail space; 90 units of affordable housing, and 28 town homes.

One interesting element of this new project is that it will be LEED certified.  That is, Leadership in Energy and environmental Design certification.  Quite a few of the new buildings in Arlington have been built to this standard.  Why not, I say.

And finally, for you house hunters, they plan to include 28 townhouses to be sold at “market rate” — 19 on the west block between Wakefield and Woodrow Streets, and nine on the east side of Wakefield St.  A four-story affordable apartment complex will replace the existing Jordan Manor’s 24 affordable rental units, and add 66 units, for a total of 90 affordable housing units.

No word yet on the schedule for this development.  After this, Ballston is pretty much done.  Here’s a peek at the proposed new project: