Organization – The Organization Committee is led by the President of the Board, Richard F. Neel, Jr.   

In 2007 and 2008, the committee is focusing its attention on fundraising.  The SFDC is funded solely by Fairfax County, and its annual appropriation is $198,172 (FY 2008).  In order for the SFDC to continue to provide outstanding services to the broker, development and business community, the Board and staff will have to be proactive in fundraising.

Design – The Design Committee is led by George O’Quinn.  The committee is focused on three key initiatives:

1.  Richmond Highway Wayfinding Sign Plan: In 2005, the SFDC received a federal Economic Development Initiative grant to complete a public improvement project in the Penn Daw Town Center area of the corridor. These funds allowed the SFDC to issue a Request for Proposal to vendors seeking information on how to improve signage along Richmond Highway. RMJM Hillier, the selected consultant, will work primarily with the committee to create a master plan to improve signage for motorists and pedestrians and coordinate that plan with a gateway sign program.  

2.  Vision Plan: In order to leverage the investment that has been made in the Hybla Valley commercial node, the SFDC has begun to look at ways to incorporate improve the appearance of the area.  Pedestrian connections, public art, and additional land assemblage are all being looked at as part of a visioning exercise led by the Fairfax County Housing and Community Development (HCD), Director of Planning and Development.  After completion of an initial rendering, the committee drafted a Request for Proposals for further design work and is looking at various funding strategies to accomplish this project. 

3.  Faηade Improvement Program: Since its inception in the early 2000s, the program has significantly improved the aesthetic appeal of buildings along Richmond Highway.  The SFDC is responsible for administering the programs, which have resulted in with six completed projects and over a half million dollars in private investment. Eligible participants must own or rent a structure that fronts on Richmond Highway. 

 

Marketing – The Marketing Committee is led by Neel Teague.  The committee has been hard at work promoting success stories and creating a positive, consistent and identifiable image of the Richmond Highway corridor. 

1.  Press Releases – The SFDC is committed to issuing one press release per month to keep residents, businesses and the media informed about our programs and achievements. 

2.  Current Projects – each month the Executive Director issues an update to the Board of Directors on the Status of Projects.  This update is posted monthly .  In addition, a Current Projects map is updated quarterly. 

3.  Brochures – The SFDC completed the development of a new marketing brochure.  Please contact us for a copy!

 

Economic Development – The Economic Development Committee is led by Kyle Talente.  The Committee has been actively looking at the recruitment and retention of both retail and office tenants.  The committee has been working on several initiatives:

1.  Business Retention – Focused mainly on the office market, SFDC staff and colleagues from the FairfaxCounty Economic Development Authority, have met regularly with office users on the corridor to understand their business plans and needs. 

2.  Market Analysis – Mr. Talente has conducted a market analysis to illustrate the dollars that could be captured in retail sales along Richmond Highway.  In addition to this quantitative data, the SFDC has teamed with the Advanced Marketing class at Mount Vernon High School to develop and implement a shoppers survey.  In November and December of 2006, the students interviewed customers of various shopping centers and collected data on their buying preferences.  The SFDC web based shopper survey results will be posted on our website to illustrate additional input from Richmond Highway shoppers. 

 

3.  Business Recruitment – SFDC staff will attend the International Council of Shopping Centers Mid-Atlantic event at the Washington Convention Center in March 2008 to promote retail opportunities along Richmond Highway.  In addition,  staff is planning to attended industry focused events to help recruit new tenants. 

 

4.  Incentives – The committee has examined ways to fund infrastructure improvements other than seeking county dollars. Funding structures such as Business Improvement Districts and Tax Increment Financing have been used successfully throughout the Commonwealth and elsewhere to encourage revitalization.

Area Advisory –   The Area Advisory committee has since been removed from the SFDC list of committees.  Please click below to read the meeting minutes leading up to this decision.