Visions for Vacancies: The Old McDonald's on Elm Street
Plans to redevelop the site are in the very early stages.
The old McDonald’s at 6808 Elm Street has sat empty for almost three years in downtown McLean.
While it looks like the building will remain empty for the immediate future, discussions are progressing on uses for the building or site—including the possibility of a downtown site for the McLean Community Center.
Fairfax County property records show the property is owned by Old Dominion Retail Properties, LLC, which purchased the building in April 2010 from McDonald’s Corp. and closed the restaurant shortly thereafter.
Developer Dan T. Montgomery's office said there was no update, but Montgomery has been in discussions with the McLean Community Center board about MCC's desires to expand downtown and whether the old McDonald's site could be used.
Mongomery said he would “be willing to work with us as part of the redevelopment efforts,” said McLean Community Center Board member Susan Bourgeois.
In February, the MCC board adopted a resolution for the McLean Community Center Downtown Committee to evaluate a recent proposal from Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate and for the Finance Committee to work on ideas for funding options for developing the Elm Street site. The McLean Community Center received a study in late 2012 from architect Greg Lukmire on what a downtown facility may include.
"Whether it happens or not remains to be seen," Bourgeois said, as MCC officials are still in the exploring phase.
The building was constructed in 1961, according to Fairfax County property records.
What would you like to see done with the old McDonald’s? Would you like to see a McLean Community Center building there, or would you rather see retail or a restaurant downtown in that location? Tell us in the comments!
Laura
10:30 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Chick fil a would be awesome there! If they could make it a drive in, even better!
Marti Friedman
6:44 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
A restaurant like Great Falls Tavern. Someplace you can bring your family, watch a game, good food and the burgers are not $15 each!
Denise Shreeve
8:52 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Would love a Gt Falls Tavern idea as well, and think this property should be included in the future McLean Town Center plans. Why in the world do we need another Community Center literally less than one mile from the soon-to-be enlarged old one?
Sarah
9:34 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Laura took the words out of my mouth! A Chick Fil a would be great-- look at the lines at the new Chipotle. The only thing McLean needs less than more business or administrative space is anther storage faciltiy, bank or dry cleaners.
Phil Cottros
1:38 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
A Chik-fil-a is a great idea. Good quality fast food that does not cost an arm and a leg is missing in a big way in McLean.
Betty Stacey
3:45 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Retail or food, please. The site is too small for Community Center unless they are thinking of moving the Old Firehouse activities there and then only if it would give more square footage for activities and parking.
Nan
3:50 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
GF Tavern would be great. Not so hot on the idea of a Chik-fil-a. To controversial!
Barbara Lewis-Mullin
1:57 am on Sunday, March 24, 2013
I'd love to see something like the new Paul's Bakery and Cafe (Tyson's Galleria) in there. We need a nice place like that in downtown McLean. No more fast food chains, please. A nice gathering spot with simple but good food and beverages - Besides, we don't have a real bakery anywhere in our area.