Developer previews mixed‑use concept for Fairfax Square; proposes nearly 300 apartments and 61,000 sq ft of commercial space

A development team led by Van Meter Companies briefed Fairfax City Council on Sept. 9 about a pre‑application concept to redevelop roughly 10.4 acres on Main Street at Fairfax Square into a phased mixed‑use center with about 293 multifamily units and approximately 61,000 square feet of commercial space.

City planner Albert Frederick presented the concept, which would retain two existing buildings (a five‑story office at 9900 Main Street and a bank at 9910), demolish about 10 smaller commercial buildings and replace them with four commercial buildings along Main Street and four residential buildings behind them. The applicant proposes one building—identified as Building A—containing approximately 44 affordable dwelling units (about 15% of the project) and several buildings with underground parking. Frederick told council the project’s density would be roughly 30 dwelling units per acre and that the applicant plans phased demolition beginning on the west side of the site.

Roy Barnett, group president for Van Meter Companies, said the developer…