Supervisor McKay Provides Local Update to Greenspring Residents

On Thursday, February 21, the Greenspring Democratic Club hosted Supervisor Jeff McKay.   He spoke with about 100 Greenspring residents regarding updates in Lee District including those related to the Springfield Mall renovation, the relocation of the FBI headquarters, as well as other local and state issues.

Springfield Mall

Supervisor McKay indicated that the renovation of Springfield Mall (the soon to be Springfield Town Center) should be completed in about a year and a half.  He said that upon completion, the Town Center should serve as the “linchpin of Springfield”.

FBI Headquarters

Supervisor McKay supports a relocation of the FBI headquarters to Springfield.  “It makes complete sense from a transportation standpoint,” said McKay.  “I’ve been lobbying very hard to attract the FBI to the Springfield area.”  He noted that such a relocation would allow the many federal employees of the FBI to utilize the Franconia-Springfield Metro station, and also have easy access to the FBI Academy, a training center in Quantico, via the Virginia Railway Express.  The suggested site now houses a General Services Administration warehouse, a site already owned by the federal government, which is located adjacent to the metro station and near every major regional highway except I-66.  McKay also noted that the relocation would help to support the future newly revitalized mall.

Wegman’s site

In response to a question regarding the continued change in landscape at the future Wegman’s site, McKay said, “Wegman’s would already be completed if it wasn’t being built on a landfill.”  However, the location at the corner of Beulah Street and Telegraph Road was a landfill that is being filled, capped, and stabilized for the new development.  “They are taking dirt out, bringing dirt in,” said McKay.  “In the end, it will be stabilized and have critical features like a stormwater retention system.”

Other Issues

Supervisor McKay, who was elected chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission in January, is opposed to a reduction in the current gasoline tax.  He said that the proposed plan is to cut the gasoline tax and offset it with an increase in the sales tax.  “There is a direct correlation between fuel consumed and the need for roads,” said McKay, indicating that it makes sense for those who use the roadways the most to help pay for new road development. 

About Greenspring: Greenspring is situated on a scenic 108-acre campus in Springfield, Virginia.  The community is home to nearly 2000 residents, many of which reside in the over 1400 independent living apartment-style homes.  At Greenspring, more than 200 resident-run and resident-driven programs promote an engaged, fulfilling lifestyle that is reflected in resident satisfaction levels that exceed the industry average.  Life at Greenspring offers a true sense of community and is an exciting alternative to the typical retirement community.  Additional information about Greenspring can be found at www.ericksonliving.com.