SFDC finds new home and mission on Richmond Highway corridor

SFDC’s Dan Lagana works at the NAIOP Northern Virginia trade show earlier this month. (NAIOP Northern Virginia/JKM Photo Works)

The Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC) — a public-private non-profit organization dedicated to the economic development and revitalization of the Richmond Highway corridor — relocated its offices late last month from the Beacon/Groveton area to the South County Government Center.

According to SFDC executive director Edythe Kelleher, the organization had wanted to move to the center at 8350 Richmond Highway for some time. Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay was instrumental in helping them finally secure the space, she said.

“We’re happy to have our own space,” said Kelleher, noting that SFDC previously was a tenant in the Neighborhood Health building.

Kelleher’s colleague Dan Lagana, communications director at SFDC, viewed their recent move as a strategic necessity.

“If we’re going to be out there marketing Richmond Highway, we need to have a space reflective of our responsibility,” he said.

Planning and successfully implementing the Embark Richmond Highway initiative has become one of the chief goals of the organization, and SFDC recently joined other economic development, business and county organizations in forming a Strategic Economic Development Team led by McKay and Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck. The team will convene for the second time on May 30.

While SFDC previously was closely associated with the Façade Improvement Program and the Mary Thonen Richmond Highway Beautification Awards, the organization now has its sights set on the future.

“Aesthetics are important, but now there will be a lot more opportunity [for SFDC] to get engaged,” said SFDC president Mark Viani at a meeting of the Marketing, Community, Appearance, Planning and Transportation Committee this past February.

Earlier this month, SFDC participated in the NAIOP Northern Virginia trade show, where developers and commercial real estate industry organizations had the opportunity to learn about local development projects. Attendees there were very aware of Embark, according to Kelleher.

SFDC’s biggest concern about Richmond Highway is the overconcentration of retail, which has been overtaken by online sales, leaving many commercial properties vacant. Strip mall businesses are struggling, while lifestyle retail centers are faring well, said Kelleher.

“Stores that are doing well are relationship-oriented,” she said. “People are looking for experiences.”

While many “For Lease” signs have popped up around the corridor, Kelleher said there’s currently no similar oversupply of residential property.

“High housing demand and limited supply are critical issues in our region, and the Embark Richmond Highway initiative addresses those by allowing for more housing around a grid of streets and supported by a transit spine,” said Kelleher.

In coming months, the SFDC hopes to announce some new events to draw the Richmond Highway community together and highlight the area’s unique draws for businesses and families.

“Richmond Highway is a lot different from the rest of the county,” said Lagana. “We want to have our own character.”

Watch SFDC’s recent video about Reinventing Richmond Highway here.