The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known endearingly simply as Metro, along with development partners Rushmark Properties and EYA, LLC, and Virginia elected officials, broke ground yesterday on a dense mixed-use community development adjacent the West Falls Metro station where residents will soon be able to live, work, and play steps from the City of Falls Church.

The Falls Church Gateway Partners will transform 24 acres of Metro-owned parking lots into a vibrant neighborhood that enhances transit accessibility and supports affordable housing, participants in yesterday’s groundbreaking event were told.

The project will be developed in three phases and include up to 1 million square feet of new residential, office and retail space. The residential portion will include up to 810 apartments and 82 townhomes with affordable housing components.

The project also includes a new street grid with improved pedestrian, bike, and bus access. New public spaces like civic plazas, pocket parks, and a dog play area will also be created. The first phase is expected to open with townhomes starting in 2027 and apartments in 2028.

The project is the third component of the wider West Falls development that includes the 10 acres of new construction in the City of Falls Church, and a Virginia Tech/HITT construction component adjacent it currently under construction. The broad West Falls Station Boulevard will be extended from Route 7 all the way to the Metro station to provide a seamless link through all three components that, combined, will be 42 acres.

“This project will bring so many benefits to the local neighborhood, and I am thrilled to see WMATA break ground on it,” said U.S. Rep. Don Beyer at the morning event yesterday. “Enhancing accessibility and making use of underutilized spaces at the station will be a great boost for the local neighborhood and Metro riders. I look forward to realizing the promise of these and other transit infrastructure improvements.”

“Groundbreakings are about new beginnings, and West Falls Church is set for an exciting new chapter,” said Metro General Manager Randy Clarke yesterday. “With the Silver Line’s arrival, these lots became underused, creating an opportunity to build a community steps from the station. When we build more housing near transit, the entire region benefits — from growing ridership to reducing traffic congestion to creating better quality of life opportunities and more access to jobs and entertainment.”

“Today is not just about breaking ground, it’s about laying the foundation for the next generation,” said Neal Kumar, Vice President of Rushmark Properties. “We are proud to improve this land and build homes and offices where families will grow, businesses will thrive, and communities will connect for decades to come.”

“This moment has been more than a decade in the making, beginning with an Urban Land Institute’s Technical Assistance Panel that reimagined how this area could grow,” said Evan Goldman, Executive Vice President at EYA. “With the redevelopment of the Metro parcel now underway, we’re completing a walkable, mixed-use neighborhood that reflects true public-private partnership — delivering housing, infrastructure, and public spaces that strengthen our region for generations to come.”

Among those present at the groundbreaking was Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi. She told the News-Press it is her hope that this predominantly resident component of the three-part 42 acre plan will bring a lot more business to the Little City.

“This groundbreaking marks an exciting step forward for Fairfax County, reinforcing our commitment to vibrant, connected communities,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay.” Projects like this help build a more inclusive and accessible Fairfax County, providing spaces where neighbors can thrive and our local economy can grow.”

“By transforming 24 acres of Metro-owned land into a vibrant, walkable, mixed-use neighborhood, this community will have a new place where people can live, work, and connect—without needing a car for every trip,” said Metro Board Member and Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn. “This redevelopment – with new homes, offices, retail, and public spaces – shows what’s possible when Metro, Fairfax County, and our partners unite around a shared vision for smart, transit-oriented growth that benefits our residents, our economy, and our region.”

“Congratulations to Metro and Falls Church Gateway Partners on kicking off their redevelopment project in the West Falls Church transit station area,” said Fairfax County Board Supervisor James Bierman Jr. “This transformative project will deliver a dynamic new neighborhood that takes advantage of the access to the one of the busiest rail systems in the country and will provide enhanced pedestrian and bicycle connectivity for the broader community to access the station area and new amenities and open spaces.”

This development will replace 600 extra parking spaces. More than 1,400 parking spaces will remain. Metro will also reconfigure the bus bays and Kiss and Ride spaces as part of the project’s new street grid.