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Photos by Victoria Ross/The ConnectionArchitectural drawings provided by Vornado Realty TrustNewsThe grand entry plaza near the Loisdale Road entrance.The new movie theater complex.Springfield’s ‘Most Important Project’ BeginsLocals cautiouslyoptimistic about $200million SpringfieldMall transformation.By Victoria RossThe ConnectionThe joke among Springfield “insiders”is that if Vornado’s developerswait long enough, theywon’t have to spend money demolishingSpringfield Mall, because it willfall apart of its own volition.Supplanted by shiny new centers, likeTysons Galleria and Fairfax Corner, the 1.4million-square-foot mall—an icon of 1970seraarchitecture—has been on the declinesince its heyday in the 1980s when it wasimportant enough to merit a visit fromPrince Charles and Princess Diana.Since then, shoppers were more likely toencounter gang members than British royalty.Locals have called it “depressing, decaying,dying,” and quips about the mallare frequently posted on Yelp, the onlinereview guide based on opinions of locals inthe know.“This mall gets two stars for Dairy Queen.Negative two stars for only having 20 storesout of 200 storefronts. Extra one star forbeing the best location for some sort of zombiemovie,” wrote Graham C. of Fairfax inMay.“It could be a museum, because it’s thisunique piece of Americana,” said shopperJoanne Whitely of Springfield. “But we’drather have the new mall we’ve been hearingabout forever.”She may finally get her wish.SIGNS ARE CURRENTLY POSTED allaround the mall indicating that Phase Oneof the $200 million transformation haslaunched. The first phase, which is expectedto take two years, includes construction ofone central entrance instead of multipleentrances, and the addition of a state-ofthe-artmovie theater and food court.“Breaking ground on the project is somethingeveryone has been waiting to see,”said Nancy-jo Manney, executive director,Signs are up indicating that Phase One of the $200 million transformationof Springfield Mall has begun. All of the interior stores are closed,while the anchor tenants, such as Target and Macy’s, remain open.Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce,since mega-developer Vornado Realty purchasedthe mall in 2006 for $171.5 million.“The mall project has been a long timecoming, but we’re very excited to [see] visiblework. The next two years will speed byand before we know it we’ll be getting complaintsthat people can’t find parking spacesat the mall. That will be a good problem tohave once again,” said Manney.Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee), who hasworked closely with the developer andcounty officials to move the ball forwardon the project, said anchor tenants Macy’s,Target and JC Penney are still open as theNew-York based Vornado guts and renovatesthe cavernous interior space, transformingthe 1973 suburban mall into SpringfieldTown Center.LATER PHASES of the renovation—expectedto take about 10 to 15 years—willcomplete the town center look, with a mixof upscale retail and commercial development,a 225-room hotel, pedestrian plazas,recreational facilities, 2,000 residentialunits and transportation improvements.McKay and other county leaders have calledthe mall’s renovation “the most importantredevelopment project in Springfield.”“Finally, it looks like our waiting is overand construction is about to begin,” McKaysaid.Although renovation of the 80-acre mallseems to have started, the project haslurched forward in fits and starts.In 2009, the Board of Supervisors approvedrezoning of the property to permitVornado’s ambitious development plans.After initial approval, any sign of redevelopmentcame to a halt. No constructionequipment materialized; Vornado’s publicrelations department stopped returningcalls; and shoppers saw the mall continueits slow decline.In 2010, Vornado defaulted on its mortgageof $171.5 million, and then refinancedthe mall for $115 million, a strategic wayto alleviate debt.“I know it’s been frustrating. People wantto see something happening there andthey’ve been disappointed in the past,”McKay said.But McKay has said the mall has whatdevelopers crave: location and the rightdemographics. Located in central Springfield,the mall sits near the Mixing Bowl, aMetro station and is surrounded by numerouswell-established neighborhoods thatwant upscale shopping opportunities.Fairfax County records show the populationwithin a three-mile radius of the mall hasan average annual household income of$115,000.“If you had no retail experience and ablindfold on, you could make SpringfieldMall a success,” McKay said last year.“I’m looking forward to two Christmasesfrom now when my children will be sittingon Santa’s lap—at a revitalized SpringfieldMall,” McKay said.14 ❖ Burke Connection ❖ August 23-29, 2012 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Community GuideExplore, EnjoyFrom Page 9tory, railroading and the fascinatingstory of our local community.Arts LiberatedLorton Workhouse ArtsCenter,9601 Ox Road, Lortonwww.workhousearts.orgLocated on the grounds of theformer Lorton Prison, the LortonWorkhouse Arts Center providesvisual and performing arts studios,exhibitions spaces, engaging arteducation programs and is host toa variety of cultural events—fromthe Mount Vernon Nights concertseries to the Clifton Filmfest. Morethan 150 of the region’s finest professionaland emerging artists callthe Workhouse home—a place tocreate and display their art.Forget love—We’d rather fallin Chocolate!Fairfax Chocolate Lovers Festival inOld Town Fairfaxwww.chocolatefestival.netFor all things chocolate, plan toattend the Chocolate Lovers Festival,a two-day event that takesplace each March in Old TownFairfax. A family-friendly favorite,popular events include the Tasteof Chocolate, featuring chocolatevendors selling anything and everythingchocolate; the ChocolateChallenge, an arts extravaganzawhere pros and amateurs competefor prizes; the Kiwanis PancakeBreakfast featuring chocolate chippancakes; historic re-enactments;children’s activities; open housesat historic buildings and muchmore.PatrioticCelebrationCity of Fairfax Annual July 4th Fireworks& ParadeIf you spend more than a yearin the area and don’t make it tothe most spectacular display offireworks in the region, you reallyhaven’t lived here. Festivities beginin the morning with the annualIndependence Day Paradethat starts in the Fairfax HistoricDistrict. After the parade, there’sthe Old-Fashioned Fireman’s Day,where local firefighters compete ingames involving fire hoses. (Sprayingthe crowd is part of the fun.)Fireworks are held at Fairfax HighSchool, with games and activitiesfor children, food vendors and liveperformances that include favoritessuch as the City of FairfaxBand and cover bands.Catch a Game ora Concert atGMUThe Patriot Center, 4500 PatriotCircle, Fairfax703-993-3000Located on the campus ofGeorge Mason University, the PatriotCenter seats 10,000 and ishost to a variety of college andprofessional sports events, concertsand other entertainment.Group sales discounts are offeredfor most of the family entertainmentevents and some concerts.(Established in 1980)Home of Burke Civic Balletbuffa’sdancestudio• Pre-School Dance Movement • Hip Hop• Ballet • Tap • Jazz • Lyrical • Pointe• Modern • Acro • Boys’ Classes• Ages 3 to Adult • Beginner to Advanced• Professional InstructorsNew Performing Space opening for Fall 201212,000 square feet in total for Buffa’s Dance StudioCALL 703-425-5599QUALITY INSTRUCTIONIN A QUALITYENVIRONMENTComeJointhe fun!9570-H BURKE RD.BURKE VILLAGECENTER IIwww.buffas.com • buffadance@msn.comFind Your Children Safe & SoundKIDDIE COUNTRYDEVELOPMENTAL LEARNING CENTERDEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SCHOOL YEAR AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMSDesigned to provide a complete, happy, safe learning environmentin harmony with the needs of the child.CHILDREN AGES 2-5Full (6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.) and half day (9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) programsSPECIAL FEATURESDevelopmental Curriculum • Degreed Teachers • Registered Nurse • Music Director • NutritiousBreakfast, Lunch and Snacks • Heated Swimming Pools • Spacious Shaded Playgrounds• Planned Orientations and Presentations for Parents • State LicensedFULL DAY SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM AGES SIX TO ELEVEN YEARSProgram is organized into weekly themes packed with FANTASTIC FIELD TRIPS,A SENSATIONAL OVERNIGHT CAMP OUT, DAILY SWIMMING, SPORTS, DANCING,MUSIC, AND AN END-OF-THE-SUMMER “SMASH” MUSICAL PRODUCTIONBY OUR CAMPERS FOR THEIR FAMILIES.BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMSAGES SIX-ELEVEN YEARSGRADES 1-6Transportation provided to Terra Centre,Fairview, White Oaks, and Cherry RunElementary Schools. Emphasis on specialevents, sports, time for homework, and student’schoice of activities.KIDDIE COUNTRY IBurke CentreFairfax Station (Fairfax)6000 Schoolhouse Woods Rd.Burke, Virginia 22015703-250-6550Come See OurAward-Winning Facilities!(Both Schools Winnersof American Instituteof Architects Awards)www.kiddiecountry.comREGISTERNOW!KINDERGARTENRegistrations are now being accepted for the2012-2013 School Year. Two Virginia certifiedteachers per classroom. Program emphasizeslanguage arts, math, computer literacy, science,social studies, social development, art, musicand physical development.KIDDIE COUNTRY IIBurke-SpringfieldFairfax Station (Lorton)9601 Old Keene Mill Rd.Burke, Virginia 22015703-644-0066www.ConnectionNewspapers.comBurke Connection ❖ August 23-29, 2012 ❖ 15
Page 6 and 7: Photos by Victoria Ross/The Connect
Page 8 and 9: The Center for Ballet Arts, Inc.Ann
Page 10 and 11: Insider’s EditionHow To Register,
Page 12 and 13: OpinionAbout the ConnectionNewcomer
Page 16 and 17: Sully RdParksAn Insider’s Guide t
Page 20 and 21: CalendarTo have community events li
Page 22 and 23: Photos ContributedNewcomers & Commu
Page 24 and 25: Award-Winning Connection Newspapers
Page 26 and 27: Photo by Louise Krafft/The Connecti
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Page 30 and 31: Zone 2: • Burke• Fairfax • Sp
Page 32: Stunning Clifton Estates sited on 5

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