Shooshan Company Wins Unanimous Approval On New Arlington Smart Growth Community: Founder’s Square

ARLINGTON, V.A. (July 24, 2008) – After unanimous approval by the Arlington County Board, the Shooshan Company today announced plans to move forward with Founder’s Square, a mixed-use development that will bring offices, retail shops, and residential to the Ballston neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia. The new project will be built on land currently occupied by the existing Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Arlington Bus Garage, a Shell filling station, Super Pollo restaurant and the Arlington County recycling drop-off center.

Developed on 5.35 acres, Founder’s Square will include: one 13-story secure office building with an 82-foot setback for security requirements; one 15-story office building; one 17-story residential building; one 12-story residential building; and one single-story retail building. Additionally, as part of the County’s desire to consolidate open space for park use, the County also approved a land exchange which expands the existing Mosaic Park by .6 acres.

The mixed-use office, retail and residential components in close proximity to public transportation and major traffic arteries, in additional to commercial and retail qualifies Founder’s Square as a Smart Growth community. In fact, located within blocks of two metro rail stations and multiple public bus routes, Founder’s Square also qualifies as a Transit Oriented Development, which was another key factor in the County’s unanimous approval.

As a Smart Growth community, Founder’s Square will strike a delicate balance between attracting high-security business, while also maintaining a commitment to all the amenities necessary for an active urban setting, including green space, pedestrian access and a solid retail infrastructure. Founder’s Square is the result of hard work, ingenuity and cooperation that spans public and private sectors.

Shooshan expects to break ground in early 2009, subject to the relocation of the WMATA bus facility.