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HOW WILL VA TECH CAMPUS IMPACT ALEXANDRIA?

Come to the Agenda: Alexandria Panel Discussion on January 27

The new Virginia Tech campus is designed to align with the new Potomac Yard Metro site right off Route 1 in North Old Town Alexandria. (Courtesy photo)

ALEXANDRIA, VA = Agenda: Alexandria’s first program of 2020 will feature information and discussions about the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus to be built starting this year in its new Potomac Yard location.

Entitled, “Virginia Tech Innovation Campus – Big Ideas, Big Plans, New Opportunities,” the panel discussion will be on Monday, January 27, at the Del Ray Salvation Army facility, 1804 Mount Vernon Avenue, starting with a community reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by panel discussion and Q & A from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m..

How Virginia Tech Came to Alexandria

This aerial architectural rendering shows where buildings are planned for the new Va Tech Alexandria campus. (Image: City of Alexandria)

One year ago, Virginia Tech announced plans to build its Innovation Campus as part of the state’s successful bid to attract Amazon to the region. The campus will be located in the Alexandria portion of National Landing near Potomac Yard, some two miles from Amazon’s new location in Arlington.

RELATED: Here We Go! Ground Broken For Potomac Yard Metro Station

The Innovation Campus will triple Virginia Tech’s footprint in Northern Virginia and be a magnet for leading technology talent, research, and education. It will include:

  • 300,000 square feet of academic space and cutting-edge research and development facilities.
  • 250,000 square feet of partner space dedicated to startups and corporate facilities.
  • 350,000 square feet dedicated to housing for students and faculty.
  • 100,000 square feet of retail and support spaces.

Sara Hooshangi has been named director of the VT Innovation Campus. She comes from George Washington University.

University Seeks Community Engagement

The $1 billion Innovation Campus will be homed in three academic buildings as part of the first phase of a new North Potomac Yard mixed-use development in Alexandria, according to a Concept 1 site plan filed November 1, 2019, with the City.

READ MORE: Did You Know? Virginia Tech Wants Two Storefronts at Potomac Yard

The university seeks to engage with the community and create a vibrant sense of place where creativity and collaboration can flourish. Details of the plan are still developing. Input on community topics, from residence and retail to parking and design, is being sought.

Meet the Panelists

Current panelists include:

  • Bob Wood, Moderator, Agenda Alexandria Board Member
  • David Baker, Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations, Virginia Tech
  • Amol Vaidya, Potomac Yards Residents Association
  • Ryan Touhill, Chief of Staff, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership
  • Bailey Edelson, Senior Vice President of Development

Come and join the conversation on January 27 to see what is planned and to provide your thoughts to City, university, and community leaders as this exciting project becomes an important part of Alexandria’s future.

Mary Wadland

Mary Wadland is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of The Zebra Press, founded by her in 2010. Originally from Delray Beach, Florida, Mary is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hollins College in Roanoke, VA and has lived and worked in the Alexandria publishing community since 1987.

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