As Arlington County prepares a redevelopment plan for East Falls Church, the City of Falls Church is considering its own options. One possibility is to use Four Mile Run as the centerpiece of an East Falls Church Waterfront District.

Yes that’s right, a waterfront district. Falls Church may be 6 miles from the Potomac, but why let that stop them?

The waterfront plan was prepared by Virginia Tech students as an academic exercise, but the idea so intrigued Falls Church city leaders that they are seriously considering it as a vision for future planning.

The idea is to redevelop the low-density industrial block between West Jefferson Street and Four Mile Run (see map) as a series of mid-rise mixed-use buildings, with a park along the side of the creek.

Rendering of a possible East Falls Church waterfront at Four Mile Run

In truth, it will take years for the City of agree to a plan, convince the landowners, find a developer, get financing, and construct the project. This is an idea, not an action proposal. But it’s a really good idea that seems to have legs. It meshes well with other likely redevelopment around the East Falls Church Metro, and could in the long term be a real winner.

It’s definitely something to keep an eye on.

 Cross-posted at Greater Greater Washington.