Potomac Market

Overview

Location: North Potomac Yard - Alexandria, VA

The objective for this project was to design a mixed-use land development site within this existing 64 acre redevelopment project. With the on going project already into the design process, there was access to the proposed design plans for the site with most of the information available to give a better understanding of the project; but the goal was to create something different for the existing and future users of the site then what was already proposed.

Aerial image with external surroundings labeled

Inventory

During a site visit in early August it was hard to ignore a couple key factors; the history and the abundance of people of all cultures in this Alexandria/Washington D.C. area, the various amounts of small businesses in the area and along Mount Vernon Ave, and the lack of shade in the parking lot and along the pedestrian pathways of North Potomac Yard. These details are hard to miss while visiting the Alexandria, VA area. Also a large asphalt parking lot that covers most of the space in the site must be factored into the design and construction plans because it can provide both good design opportunities as well as obstacles and restrictions.

2D Aerial image of site with boundary line

Tourism

Having Washington D.C. just across the river, along with such an easy accessibility to transportation networks such as, the Metro and the Airport, the site has an opportunity to attract many users.

Airplane Disturbance

With a frequently busy airport just North of the site area, the noise of the airplanes flying overhead tends to be a disturbance for nearby people.

New Developments

Directly south of the site area holds a new development project that had a similar objective; qualifying the area for a good external relationship with the project area.

Heavy Traffic

Traveling along the west side of the site runs US Highway 1 which carries a dense amount of vehicular traffic throughout the day.

Concept

Zoning Plan

Calculations

The concept of the layout mainly revolves around economic growth for this community, considering the multiple opportunities the surrounding areas of the site can provide is what ultimately led me down this path. As already mentioned, these opportunities being, the variations of users attracted to the D.C./Alexandria area, whether they could be considered tourist or looking to make this area there home, and the accessibility to different transportation networks, making it an ideal spot to provide economic growth to the community and local businesses. Integrating this concept into a mixed-use development site first started with including, easy vehicular and pedestrian access to and from the different transportation hubs, a central shopping/market area, and a heavier amount of residential and office buildings within the site to assure the area is active with users. The goal of this layout is to promote the local businesses and retail in the area and in the site, as well as providing users a safe easygoing experience while moving along the site.

Design Details

Masterplan