Henrico supervisors approve Willow Lawn redevelopment plan

At its Nov. 14 meeting, the Henrico Board of Supervisors approved a redevelopment plan for Willow Lawn that its owners intend to phase in during the next 20 years or more.

The plan proposes the creation of 12 areas within the existing Willow Lawn footprint, with a mixture of residential and commercial uses, as well as a central courtyard. The estimated final version of the site would contain approximately 2,000 residential units and more than 500,000 square feet of commercial and office space. The exact amount of residential versus non-residential uses of each space will depend upon the individual plans of development that will be submitted before each phase takes place. Parking would be moved from the existing lots to new parking structures.

“This shopping center/mall began in 1956, has been reinvented many times, and I think could easily be recognized as one of the most successful retail areas in the region based on the way it reinvents itself,” Henrico Planning Director Joe Emerson said.

A representative form a nearby neighborhood told supervisors that residents wanted to be kept informed throughout the process.

“We’re generally in support of anything that keeps Willow Lawn a vibrant and dynamic place, but with all the developments coming to the area we’re talking hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars coming to an older and existing part of the county, and it’s important for our neighborhood to ensure that we’re not forgotten or left behind when those changes happen,” said Andrew Ryan, vice president of the Monumental Floral Gardens Neighborhood Association. “We want to be certain that as you approve these developments, there are investments in our neighborhood, in things like sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic calming, and other infrastructure, so we can benefit from these changes as well.”

He requested any data or studies the county had on a target number of new residential units for the area.

“The way your neighborhood communicates should be an example for folks in this county,” responded Brookland Supervisor Schmitt, “This is very a long-term project. I don’t want anyone to get the impression that they’re going to see buildings going up in the next year or two. The first phase only is happening just in the next half of a decade.”

In response to Ryan’s comments, Henrico Planning Director Joe Emerson explained that planning staff members felt comfortable with the way the owner, Federal Realty Trust, had addressed police and fire department concerns about parking and building height, and that any building more than 60 feet in height was required to install communication equipment for first responders. Additionally, Federal Realty has agreed to match any crosswalk the county puts over Willow Lawn at its intersection with Fitzhugh Avenue.

“The community has been good partners and, to the applicant, I want to say it loud and clear here today that these folks are asking to be collaborative partners in this endeavor, and I’m going to be a vocal advocate for that as well,” Schmitt said. “In order for your 500,000 square feet of commercial space to succeed, neighbors have to be a part of that. I intend to be the conduit for that.”

Willow Lawn opened to the public in 1956.

“I was there the day they opened,” said Tuckahoe Supervisor Pat O’Bannon. “My sister and I went shopping at a store called Bernette’s.”