COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

COUNTY OF FAIRFAX
Telephone (703) 971-6262
Fax (703) 971-3032
E-mail: leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov
6121 Franconia Road JEFFREY C. MCKAY
Web site: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/lee Alexandria, VA 22310 LEE DISTRICT SUPERVISOR

For Immediate Release

April 15, 2010

Contact: Linda Waller

703-971-6262

Another Community Eyesore to be Demolished

The long-vacant Chi-Chi’s restaurant at 7010 Old Keene Mill Road will be
torn down Friday, April 16 at 10:30 am. Most recently the site of a three-
alarm fire on February 11, the heavily damaged and blighted building has
been vacant since 2002. (Chi-Chi’s restaurants filed for bankruptcy in
2003.) The building and land is owned by Springfield Land LLC.

Jeffrey C. McKay (D-Lee District) commented that the demolition of the

vacant Mexican restaurant is a big step forward for central Springfield and
the community. “For years, residents and business owners have complained
about this vacant building with its graffiti and trash. It’s been hard to
position central Springfield as a desirable location with an eyesore like this
at a gateway site.”

McKay further said that “the timing is right, coming shortly after Fairfax
County’s purchase of the vacant Circuit City site just across Old Keene Mill
 MORE

Road from Chi-Chi’s, we’re getting rid of these eyesores one by one to
continue the revitalization of the central Springfield business area.” (The
Circuit City site will become a County commuter parking facility.)

The former Chi-Chi’s site is being considered as the possible location for a
hotel similar to the Marriott Residence Inn that was recently built on the site
of the former Houlihan’s at Old Keene Mill Road and Backlick Road.

###