Another proposed NoVA data center deal is in the works. Fairfax County is considering the sale of nearly 42 acres in Chantilly to a data center developer. The property, located at 3721 Stonecroft Blvd., is currently used as a training facility for the county’s police department.
According to the county’s Board of Supervisors, “the site remains an important location for police training, but the current facilities are spread out in a way that leaves portions of the property underutilized.” It says the land is currently in an established industrial corridor surrounded by office parks and other data centers. No residential development is planned or anticipated for the site.
The $166.8 million generated would help to fund a new, modern police training facility at the site. It would include a new criminal justice academy and updated firearms, driver, and K-9 training areas. The county says current police training could continue “without major interruption.”
The Board of Supervisors says the sale would also help diversify county revenue sources. It says Fairfax relies “heavily on residential real estate taxes, which make up more than 75% of the county’s assessment base.” It anticipates tax revenue from the data center will exceed $20 million the first year after completion.
Residents Suggest Land Swap
The buyer for the Chantilly land is SCG Global Holdings LLC, an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group. Starwood is currently developing a massive Herndon data center. It plans to build another data center on 34 acres in Alexandria at Plaza 500 on Edsall Road.
A group of Alexandria homeowners association leaders are asking the county to swap the Chantilly land for the Plaza 500 land. The HOAs are suggesting that the Alexandria land be used instead for affordable housing units.
HOA representatives outlined the swap proposal in a February 16 letter to county board members, Annandale Today reported. “Plaza 500 is a prime 34.1-acre transit-oriented site just over half a mile from a major Metro station in a rapidly developing residential and mixed-use corridor that would allow over 1,000 affordable housing units, depending on unit type,” the letter states.
The community will have the opportunity to provide comments regarding the Chantilly land sale at a March 17 public hearing.
Feature image courtesy Fairfax County Government
