Metro seeks a developer for 3.4 acres at Braddock Road station

Updated at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, with additional details from Metro's announcement and solicitation documents.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Metro is looking for a development team to build on the roughly 3.4 acres it owns beside Braddock Road station, the transit agency announced Thursday.

The site is the station's existing bus loop and Kiss & Ride lot, about 3.42 acres. Metro's analysis puts its capacity at roughly 420,000 square feet of development, including up to about 380 residences and 21,000 square feet of retail.

Metro would keep the land. The agency prefers a ground lease, retaining ownership and leasing the site for up to 99 years with recurring payments, and the option to share in cash flows based on the project's performance. The solicitation acknowledges the current environment for development is challenging and says the site needs a team effective at attracting funding sources.

Whoever wins the contract would also rebuild the transit facilities. Under the concept in the solicitation, the bus loop becomes a one-way, bus-only driveway, the existing recirculation lane is eliminated, and the 21 Kiss & Ride, taxi and rideshare spaces move to North West Street.