Visions for Vacancies: The Old McDonald's on Elm Street

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!