2050 Eastern Gateway Concept Plan - City of Falls Church

The Plan
The proposed plan for the Falls Church Eastern Gateway
consists of a comprehensive set of area-specific plan
recommendations that will promote a vibrant mixed-use
community for the area’s future development. The
recommendations are based on a vision for the area that
promotes increased densities, urban design standards and an
enhanced transportation network. The plan will significantly
increase the commercial tax base and improve the economic
viability of the area; at the same time, it will preserve the
unique existing historic and cultural features located in the
eastern boundary of the City of Falls Church.
Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) slices through the Eastern Gateway
and is a major road in the region. Source: Marco Rivero.
The Eastern Gateway
is the front door of
Falls Church from
Arlington and Fairfax
Counties. The existing
conditions of the area
have no distinct
features that clearly
identify the entrance
into the City. Bounded
by major arterials
that serve the region
(Route 7, Route 50,
Wilson Boulevard,
and Roosevelt
Boulevard), the existing developments are a combination of
aging auto-oriented uses and strip commercial developments.
For purposes of the vision, the plan has established three major
areas for redevelopment.
• The Koons-Syms plan area includes the two Koons auto
dealerships, the vacant Syms retail store and two
parcels in Fairfax County: the existing Grand Market
grocery store parcel and adjacent Italian Inn restaurant.
• The Eden Center plan area includes the Edens Center
and vacant Wholesale Liquidators store, the BP Gas
Station and the two parcels in Fairfax County that
contain the veterinary clinic and parking lot.
• The Roosevelt-Wilson Boulevard plan area includes
Oakwood Apartments, Madison Condominium, Roosevelt
Towers Apartments, Koons Body Shop, Public Storage,
the Shell Gas Station, the Wilson Boulevard Strip retail
development and the future BJ’s Wholesale store site.
Because the site is bounded by four-lane major arterials,
including Leesburg Pike (Route 7), Arlington Boulevard (Route
50), Wilson Boulevard, Roosevelt Boulevard and Hillwood
Avenue, the plan calls for an enhanced streetscape design for
the plan areas that addresses the elements needed to calm
automobile traffic and create an active street life. Proposed