Base Realignment & Closure (BRAC)

Correspondence and Updates

BRAC Comparison with the Approved DSUP and FAQ
Construction Info Update: Duke Realty and its subcontractors have agreed to not begin pile driving activities earlier than 8:00 am to minimize noise impact to neighboring communities.
Rendering of the Proposed DoD BRAC 133 Project at Mark Center
City of Alexandria Response to NCPC Pending Council Review January 27
Congressional Letter Regarding On-Site Remote Inspection Facility (RIF), July 15, 2009 ; Army Response Letter, August 12, 2009
Status Report on DoD BRAC 133 Project, October 9, 2009

Plans, Maps, and Other Media

Studies, Reports, and Presentations

BRAC Presentation (June 17, 2009)
Alexandria City BRAC Activities Update Presentation (June 2009)
Planning Commission Presentation - March 5, 2009
Community Presentation - December 4, 2008
NCPC BRAC 133 Review Presentation
Traffic and Transportation Studies:
- Final VHB Transportation Study Report, Appendices - November 3, 2009
- I-395 / Seminary Road Interchange Justification Presentation - October 21, 2009
- VHB Transportation Study Presentation to BRAC Advisory Group- September 16, 2009
- VHB Traffic Analysis Presentation to BRAC Advisory Group - August 19, 2009
- 2003 Mark Center Traffic Study
- I-95 395 HOT Lane Project Volume 1, Volume 2 (section 1) (section 2) , Volume 3
  ** This is a draft study that has been submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for review and comment and is subject to change pending that review process
- I-95 395 Transit-TDM Study, Appendices
- Seminary - Beauregard Corridor Study
- VDOT Transportation Study

BRAC/Mark Center Advisory Group

Department of Defense Selects Mark Center for New WHS Home

As part of the Department of Defense's (DoD) mandatory Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program, the Mark Center has been selected as the new home for the Washington Headquarters Service (WHS) as well as a number of other key DoD agencies such as the Office of Policy of the Secretary of Defense. The facility will be owned and constructed by the Federal Government on property at the intersection of Seminary Road and Beauregard Street, at the I-395 interchange. It will bring 6,400 new jobs to Alexandria, and, under Federal BRAC law, must be completed by September, 2011. Specific information concerning the plans can be provided by the Army and Duke Realty as soon as certain federal requirements have been met. Click here for a view of the site area.

While the City has reviewed the proposed development as it relates to the previous 2004 approval, the City does not have any regulatory jurisdiction over the Federal Government. The City’s review indicates that the proposal differs substantially with its site layout and building design from the 2004 City-approved plan, is substantially in compliance with most of the zoning requirements. In particular, the total amount of office space is within what was approved by the City in 2004, and the 3,904 parking spaces are about 1,000 less than the 2004 approvals, but comply with the required parking spaces.

The Coordinated Development District (CDD) zoning for the site permits a relatively high density and heights up to 250 feet. In 2004, this portion of the Mark Center development went through a development review process and received approval for a total of five buildings on the property with an approximate total floor area of 1,700,000 square feet of development and building heights up to 240 feet.

The applicant is proposing to develop two of the remaining three development blocks within Mark Center with approximately 1,400,000 square feet of office and associated uses. The applicant is proposing approximately 1,380,000 square feet within one building rather than the four previously approved. The current proposed building height of approximately 272 feet exceeds the previously approved building height (240 feet) and the maximum height (250 feet) permitted by the zoning ordinance. The mechanical penthouses are taller than permitted by the City’s zoning.

Additional aspects of the proposal, such as the site layout and floor area ratio, vary from the original 2004 proposal. For example, a portion of the proposed seven-level parking structure encroaches into the previously planned and approved central open space. There is a remote inspection facility in the south east corner – encroaching into additional open space. Another variation from the original proposal is the incorporation of an 8,700 square foot transit center in the proposed parking structure.

In February of 2009, city Council created a BRAC-133 Advisory Group to serve as a forum for developing ideas and recommendations relating to transportation improvements and other issues associated with the BRAC-133 office building. The Advisory Group been meeting since March and has submitted a letter of recommendation to the Council and is on the June 23^rd docket. The Advisory Groups minutes are posted on this web page.

The facility will be owned and constructed by the Federal government and will be considered part of Fort Belvoir. The Federal government purchased the land in December 2008 and site work commenced. A Web cam records daily construction. Again it should be noted this development is not subject to local land-use regulations. According to Duke Realty, the proposal, while different from the 2004 City-approved City Mark Center development site plan, is in technical compliance with that plan.

The City will continue to monitor and provide updates to the community as soon as we receive them from the Army and Duke Realty.

For more information, please contact Pat Escher, Department of Planning & Zoning 703/746-3812.