Northern Virginia residents have become quite familiar with commercial revitalization over the past few years. Recent examples include not only new construction along Leesburg Pike and International Drive but also Mosaic in Fairfax. Because of the economic opportunities offered by commercial reinvestment and development, other localities have followed in those footsteps.
One example is the City of Falls Church. In recent years, the city has experienced increased development activity. But while these renewal efforts can bring in new and exciting storefronts, they can also fuel tensions within the community. Many small businesses form a crucial part of the local economy and contribute to the city’s character. Unfortunately, the upgrades required by commercial reinvestment often leave them unable to compete. For example, a popular pizza diner may have to relocate outside the city because the commercial space it occupies has become the future home of an upscale grocery store.
For this reason, the City of Falls Church Chamber of Commerce has taken a proactive role to ease the transition caused by commercial revitalization. They developed the Resource Guide for Displaced Businesses. The guide takes a unique approach, striking a balance between the needs of local businesses finding themselves unable to compete with outside companies seeking to develop commercial property and the understanding that bringing new businesses into the local economy is healthy and important.
“The Chamber thought it would be useful to craft a resource for local companies to find the tools they need to understand the issue and appreciate the inevitably changing dynamics of the city’s business landscape,” says Andrew Painter, a zoning attorney with Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C. Because the guide is the first of its kind in the United States, Painter compiled a wide range of information over the course of authoring it. Among the resources included in the guide are an overview of the redevelopment process, lease negotiation tips, and advice on identifying potential new commercial space should relocation be necessary.
“Small and local businesses are an absolutely essential component of our City’s economy, and the issues they face are not peculiar to Falls Church,” Painter said. “Established jurisdictions of all sizes are grappling with the same predicament, and we hope this can be a resource for positive action for businesses and communities across the country.”
Click here to get the Resource Guide for Displaced Businesses from the City of Falls Church Chamber of Commerce.
