WASHINGTON — A controversial development project has gotten the green light in Arlington County.
The project — which will include two mixed-use buildings, an apartment building with affordable housing, a new school, new fire station and redeveloped park on Wilson Boulevard in Rosslyn — drew some concerns because it is set to replace the century-old Wilson School.
The Arlington County Board supported the plan’s approval unanimously Saturday, citing the need for more classroom and fire apparatus capacity.
“It is uncommon for us to see a project of this magnitude, and one that creatively leverages private resources to meet this many public needs,” said County Board Chairman Jay Fisette.
“We appreciate the many layers of collaboration and public input that went into developing the Western Rosslyn Area Plan and these projects that will bring that vision to life. When built, the projects will add substantial vitality and community assets to this neighborhood.”
The two mixed-use towers, one 27 stories tall and the other 23 stories tall, will replace the 1555 Wilson Blvd. commercial building, which has been described by the county as an aging office structure with a high vacancy rate.
Those towers will together have nearly 900 apartments, ground-level retail space, a new fire station and underground parking that will also be used by the school.
A new Wilson School will replace the current structure at 1601 Wilson Blvd. The new five-story building will be built to hold 775 students.
Behind the school, there will be a redeveloped Rosslyn Highlands Park which will include a multipurpose court, children’s playground, lighted athletic field, rooftop terrace, planted green areas and seating. The space will temporarily house Fire Station 10 while its permanent home is finished.
Across the street, the garden-style Queen’s Court apartments at 1801 N. Quinn St. will be replaced with a 12-story apartment building set to include 249 committed affordable units contracted to be affordable for 60 years.
The project also includes a new street, North Pierce Street, that will connect Wilson Boulevard with 18th Street between the two mixed-use buildings.
The county says the redevelopment should be finished by 2021.
