Richmond Highway Facade Improvement Program concludes, as Embark begins

Begun nearly 16 years ago as a pilot project to improve the appearance of a fading commercial property along Route 1, the Richmond Highway Facade Improvement Program (FIP) is coming to an end.

Today, Neighborhood Health, owner and chief tenant of the office building located at 6677 Richmond Highway, is the final beneficiary of the program. The Federally Qualified Health Center is using its $25,000 FIP grant from Fairfax County toward signage and landscaping improvements to the site. Ironically, one of Neighborhood Health’s sub-tenants until just last week was the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC) — which helped found and administer the FIP over the years.

SFDC first became involved with the program when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in October 2002 authorized an allocation of $25,000 to the organization to help Ironworks Gym, Inc. revitalize the former Hechinger’s building to house Gold’s Gym (now Results Fitness) and other businesses. The success of that pilot project led the Board in May 2003 to expand the Route One Rehabilitation District to include all community business centers and suburban neighborhoods between Interstate 495 and Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. With backing from then District Supervisors Gerry Hyland (Mount Vernon) and Dana Kauffman (Lee), the Board enabled the Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization to provide grants and loans to commercial property and business owners as part of an official Richmond Highway Facade Improvement Program. The Board authorized the allocation of an additional $205,000 for the program: $35,000 for architectural services to be provided at no cost to property owners; $25,000 for cost estimates, marketing and other administrative costs associated with running the program; and $145,000 for facade improvements.

For businesses and commercial properties seeking to enhance their appearance, the program provided a 50-50 grant match of up to $25,000 for facade improvements and up to $3,500 in reimbursements for design and illustration of the project concept.

Following the Gold’s Gym pilot, the Hybla Valley Veterinary Hospital (7627 Richmond Highway) and the building that formerly housed Citron Safe and Lock (7325-7329 Richmond Highway) were the next two beneficiaries of the program, receiving their $25,000 reimbursement checks from the county during special ribbon-cutting ceremonies in May 2006.

Bodnar Chiropractic Center (6969 Richmond Highway) was another early grant recipient, working with an architect to increase the height of its façade, create a diversion between the top and bottom half of the building, and cover the exterior stairs with a roof. Dr. Brian Bodnar, a chiropractor and founder of Bodnar Chiropractic Center, said it was “a great thing” to receive financial assistance from the county over a dozen years ago.

The Façade Improvement Program was “one of the first steps forward to improving Route 1,” observed Bodnar. “You can still see that momentum through the Embark initiative. I’ve been here 20 years now, and things are getting better and better.”

To be considered for a grant, applicants had to own or rent a structure that fronted on Richmond Highway, seek to make “qualifying improvements” that didn’t include new construction, and submit a detailed application package, including a project concept plan and drawings. Upon receipt, the SFDC’s Marketing, Community, Appearance, Planning and Transportation Committee was responsible for reviewing the package, requesting revisions if necessary and ultimately forwarding a recommendation for approval or denial to OCR. OCR then conducted its own review and made the final decision whether to approve or deny the grant. Approved projects needed to be completed within one year of contract signing between the applicant and OCR. Grant recipients could only seek reimbursement after project completion.

Over the following years, the properties once housing Fast Eddie’s (6220 Richmond Highway) and Joe Shiflett HVAC (8123 Richmond Highway) received FIP grants for façade improvements. Several other businesses and properties — like the Peking Duck, the Gum Springs Shopping Center, Engleside Car Care, the International Center for Christian Ministries and K&S Beauty — were initially approved for the program but never completed their renovations.

Between 2009 and 2017, no grant applications were received by the SFDC — a long lull, which the organization’s present executive director Edythe Frankel Kelleher attributed at least partly to commercial property owners’ reluctance to invest in significant upgrades to existing structures.

“Twenty-five thousand dollars is not a large amount of money, and its spending power has declined over time,” said Kelleher.

Last summer, the FIP grant drought was ended by the property owners at 6911 Richmond Highway — home to ACE Cash Express and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, among other businesses. That facade improvement project is now complete. In early 2018, Neighborhood Health — which provides medical, dental and mental health care to thousands of low-income patients — received county approval for its facade improvement application. The medical home’s executive director Basim Khan, M.D. said he tentatively expects upgrades to be complete by the end of the summer.

“We’re grateful that we were able to take advantage of the opportunity,” said Khan.

According to SFDC and OCR records, the remaining balance for the FIP’s design funds is around $3,790, while the balance for facade improvements is $30,654, a sum that will be depleted by $25,000 once Neighborhood Health’s project is complete. In short, the FIP has reached the bottom of its pot of money. Nonetheless, SFDC and OCR can point to two accomplishments by the program. First, it resulted in more than $1.3 million* of private investment along Richmond Highway. And second, the FIP set the stage for the next phase of the corridor’s revitalization and development under the Embark initiative.

While the FIP in its current form wouldn’t apply to Embark redevelopment projects, according to Kelleher, current Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck won’t rule out the possibility for a future reinvigoration of or renewed funding for the FIP.

“We recognize the challenges faced by the many small businesses that have been on Richmond Highway for decades,” said Storck. “We need to support their continued success and work to keep them on the highway. A façade improvement support program — with new features for better supporting, expediting and reducing fees — could be beneficial to these businesses. It would benefit both the community and the business with a more professional and appealing street-front appearance, ultimately attracting increased commerce.” 

*Figure excludes investment from ongoing project at Neighborhood Health.