The Original Mount Vernon High School was vacated in October of 2016 by its tenant, the Islamic Saudi Academy. ISA vacated after its 30-year lease expired. Fairfax County owns the building and is in the process of determining a future use for the structure and property. The 144,107 square foot building and 22.5-acre parcel are adjacent to 17.5 acres of land owned by the Fairfax County Park Authority.
Fairfax County has begun a multi-departmental effort to manage and coordinate the site’s future use. The project is included in the Embark Richmond Highway planning process. In 2015, then Mount Vernon District Supervisor, Gerry Hyland, formed a re-utilization task force for the site, you may view task force details and recommendations here. In 2016, current Mount Vernon Supervisor, Dan Storck, announced an implementation and advisory committee as the planning process for the site unfolds.
On February 6, 2018, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the $399,000 agreement with Alexander Company and Elm Street Development. Under this contract, Alexander, Elm Street, and Fairfax County will work together to create a development plan for the site.
Here is a brief timeline for the master planning phase:
- Spring 2018: community open house.
- Spring/Summer 2018: redevelopment master planning, including community outreach and engagement.
- Summer 2018: county evaluation of development options
- Fall 2018: Community outreach of proposed master plan.
- Future – Funding, land use and regulatory actions, design, public outreach, and implementation of development master plan.
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