A third Marriott hotel — this one owned and operated by the company itself — is coming to central Springfield. According to several sources close to the transaction, a contract on the property — located on Old Keene Mill Road in central Springfield directly east of the Springfield Plaza shopping center — is imminent.
"If done properly, it could be a key gateway property," said Supervisor Dana Kauffman (D-Lee)," who confirmed that corporate officials from Marriott have expressed interest in a contract on the property.
"They have seen how well their franchised facilities have done, and they want a place of their own," he said.
Legal representatives from Marriott, as well as company vice president Bob Mannon, who represents the Mid-Atlantic Region, made a presentation to the Central Springfield Area Revitalization Committee (CSPARC) in early November, informing it of their intentions of moving in.
"Marriott has been a good neighbor. They've got two extended-stay hotels in Springfield now," said Bob Gray with CSPARC. "Our proximity to all these transportation modes make us a good hospitality destination, and I think it will be good for the downtown."
Marriott currently owns two other hotels in Springfield, a TownPlace Suites on Brandon Avenue, and a Courtyard by Marriott on Commerce Street. Both of those properties are franchises, operated by another company.
Although parties with Marriott couldn't comment on the transaction, since the contract is not yet signed, Gray and Kauffman confirmed that the hotel would be a Residence Inn, and according to Kauffman, it would have around 160 units. Residence Inns are extended-stay hotels, with small suites, and possibly conference or other meeting space on-site.
The building would be built directly behind the sidewalk on Old Keene Mill, and its design would be in keeping with the "Main Street" theme associated with the revitalization district in central Springfield, according to Nancy-jo Manney, executive director of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
"That would be a wonderful location," said Manney. "That particular property was had problems because of access, and when you have a destination business there, people will find their way there."
The site currently is occupied by one building, a former Chi-Chi's restaurant
"If Marriott's proposal fits with what the property can accommodate, I think it would make a great piece for that space," said Manney.
In order for the plans to proceed, however, an out-of-turn amendment must be made to the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan, allowing changes to the current zoning of the site. Currently, the site is zoned C8, for a "highway commercial district," but would need a zoning classification of PDC (Planned Development Commercial), used for commercial centers
in order to accommodate the density needs of the hotel and parking.
Under the recently announced "Investing in Communities" program, an extension of the Fairfax County Revitalization effort, loan money would be made available for the project, as well as public money, with a private match that could only be used for façade work and landscaping. It is the desire of CSPARC, said Gray, that the Marriott property, as well as any other development in central Springfield, maintain the "town center" feel they are building around.
"There will be give-and-take in it. They're going to come with the things they do elsewhere, and we'll say they should do certain things to make it fit with downtown Springfield," said Gray, who added that certain key features like buildings close to the street and out-of-sight parking will be at the top of the list as the design process moves on.
"[We want to] make it pedestrian friendly, more of a cohesive theme, more of a downtown feel, 24-hour activity center," he said.