The Washington Post

December 5, 2007

Arcola Center is Approved in Loudoun

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday to allow a developer to build a large, pedestrian-friendly community of homes, shops and offices southwest of Dulles International Airport. 

The Arcola Center was one of a series of major developments the board is scheduled to consider before the end of the year, when four pro-growth supervisors step down and a majority that favors slower growth takes the helm.

Slow-growth activists had objected to the Arcola Center, saying it would worsen traffic on Route 50. Some officials also worried that it would be too close to the airport and include too many homes and too few offices and stores. The plans include up to 1,169 homes, townhouses and apartments.

But the developer, Gaithersburg-based Buchanan Partners, said the project will bring much-needed amenities such as restaurants and shopping to the area.

"It will have a higher quality of uses that the Dulles area needs and is, quite frankly, demanding," Executive Vice President Russell S. Gestl said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/AR2007120401968.html