A group of local developers wants to turn the barn that has been unused for years at Mount Vernon’s Gristmill Park into a live music and restaurant venue.
Unsolicited Proposal was submitted to the by Long & Foster Realtors Mark & Michael White, Tech24 Construction CEO & President Victor Bonomi and First Washington Realty Senior Construction Director Daniel Wiechert.
According to the proposal, all four members of leadership team are Mount Vernon locals and have led numerous D.C. area projects including Atlas Brew Works and Bronson Bierhall as well as Nighthawk Pizza and Supreme Core.
Fairfax County is required by state law to conduct a competitive bid process because the proposal was submitted in accordance with Virginia’s Public-Private Education Facilities Act (PPEA).
Fairfax County Park Authority, which owns property at 4710 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, announced last Friday that it is accepting alternative proposals to redevelop the barn until April 25. Developers can submit their plans through the Department of Procurement and Material Management site.
The developers propose renovating the two level, approximately 7,000 square foot barn into a restaurant with a full service and an outdoor dining area. A permanent stage will be built to support the summer concert series at the park and other events.
According to the proposal the restaurant will serve “family-friendly food”, as well as locally produced craft beer, wine, and spirits. This could be from George Washington’s Grist Mill. The proposal also shows an independent walk-up window, which would serve coffee and soft serve ice cream in addition to the restaurant. This is similar to Custard Shack at Belle View.
The group also suggested a separate restroom for park visitors, increased parking and a bike rest station along the recently finished Mount Vernon bicycle path between Richmond Highway to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate.
The proposal states that “The Gristmill barn has been a bad asset for the Fairfax County Park Authority over many decades, as it has constant maintenance needs and has a limited positive use for the park surrounding.”
The developer group claims that a restaurant with an event space will provide a new place for community gatherings while also generating revenue to the county.
Gunston Soccer Club regularly uses the 75-acre park. Developers say they have spoken to the club’s leadership about their plans. The club expressed its support for adding restrooms and concessions to the park, as these are ongoing needs.
For years, the future of the barn was a hot topic.
In 2019, the FCPA hosted a meeting as part of the revision of Grist Mill Park’s master plan. Residents suggested that the barn could be used for indoor sports, as a nature centre, or for storing gardening and recreational gear, amongst other ideas. Some residents raised concerns regarding parking, lighting and runoff from stormwater.
The unsolicited proposal includes three options for renovations to the barn. However, they have been redacted with the label “confidential”, leaving the exact design and layout as a mystery. The potential funding plan has also been redacted.
The FCPA will assess proposals on the basis of feasibility, community impact and alignment with long-term park vision. The final plan selection timeline has not yet been announced.
