Alexandria City Council approved multiple development special-use permits on Dec. 13 for the southern portion of Potomac Yard, including a mixed-use building, an affordable housing building and for-sale townhomes.

Applicants (JBG Smith, Wesley Housing, Toll Brothers) described a master-planned set of parcels that add a mix of housing types near the Potomac Yard Metro station, provide new open space and include up to roughly 13,100 square feet of retail along the open space and metro. Wesley Housing said its affordable building will contain amenity space, a community room, and in-unit laundry for residents; applicant teams also highlighted on-site retail and pedestrian connections to the park and metro.

Public commenters including Voice Alexandria and the Potomac Yard Homeowners Association spoke in support and asked for clarifications on open-space maintenance and retail activation. Following staff-recommended conditions and additional encroachment conditions included in a staff memo, council approved the DSUPs and related encroachment in roll-call votes.

Why it matters: Approvals complete major elements of the Potomac Yard master plan and include affordable housing adjacent to transit and new public open space that the developer intends to activate with retail facing the park and metro.

What happens next: Applicants will proceed to permit and construction as required by the DSUP conditions and proponents said they will market small retail spaces to attract neighborhood-serving tenants.