Supervisors approved a Hampton Inn Suites on Backlick Road, which will be the last impression motorists have of Springfield.
A newly permitted hotel will change the final impression of Springfield.
“If you’re familiar with Springfield this is literally the last thing you see before you get on the Interstate,” said Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay.
The Board of Supervisors granted Springfield Gateway’s request to rezone three parcels of land at 6509-19 Backlick Road, totalling 1.54 acres, to permit construction of a six-floor Hampton Inn Suites, 80 feet in height. The approved zoning also allows for an adjacent three-story, 27-foot-high parking structure with 156 parking spaces.
“What this does is take a property that is essentially three older retail properties built in the mid 1950s and an automobile dealership, no stormwater management, paved from end to end – really unsightly – and replace it completely with a brand new Hampton Inn Suites,” said Mark Viani, attorney for the applicant, at the Board of Supervisors meeting on July 31.
“This is an application we’re very excited about in Springfield mostly because of what it’s getting rid of, but also because of the strategic location of this property,” said McKay. “And this is much more consistent with the robust revitalization success that we are experiencing in Springfield. Getting this corner cleaned up, I know, will lead to other revitalizations in that immediate area.”
“I am familiar with the area you’re describing and this will be a big improvement,” said Chairman Sharon Bulova.
The Planning Commission had recommended approval of the plan earlier in July.
The Planning Commission requested a proffer, adding a wayfinding station because of its proximity to the the Mixing Bowl. “We thought that was a good idea,” said Viani.
“This has been a long time coming for this part of Springfield,” said Lee District Planning Commissioner James Migliaccio, on July 12. “So, we are looking to get it going, using this as a catalyst for this part of Backlick Road, just south of Old Keene Mill Road. We haven’t had anything going right there.”
“We’re not in Tysons. Hopefully this will be a catalyst that will do it. And, I’m happy to support this,” he said.