A new apartment development planned near Springfield’s Medical Mile is officially moving forward after Springfield City Council voted 7-2 to approve the rezoning request earlier this month. The project, called The Reserve at Medical Mile, would sit near the corner of Maryland Avenue and Walnut Lawn Street, just west of National Avenue.
The project has created a lot of conversation over the past few weeks, especially among nearby residents in the High Meadow East neighborhood. In response to community feedback, developers made several changes before council approved the plan.
What Changed From the Original Proposal?
The original plan included a four-story apartment building with 198 units. Developers later updated the proposal and reduced the project to 182 units. They also lowered parts of the building from four stories to three stories.
Under the approved plan:
- The side wings closest to neighboring homes would be three stories
- The portion facing Walnut Lawn would remain four stories
- Parts of the building would move farther away from nearby homes
- Developers would add more landscaping and trees
- One entrance would move from Maryland Avenue to Walnut Lawn Street
- Privacy fencing and rear access gates would be added for some neighboring properties
The apartment complex would also include amenities like a pool, fitness space, dog park, community areas, and more than 300 parking spaces. Developers say the apartments are meant mainly for people working in the nearby Medical Mile area.
Why Some Neighbors Still Oppose the Project
Even after the changes, several nearby residents still oppose the development. Most concerns focus on traffic, density, and the overall size of the building next to a single-family neighborhood. Some residents wanted the entire building reduced to three stories instead of only parts of it.
Residents also raised concerns about how much traffic the development could add near Walnut Lawn, Maryland Avenue, and National Avenue.
Why City Council Approved It
Council members who supported the project pointed to Springfield’s growing need for housing, especially near major employers and medical offices. Supporters also noted that the property has remained mostly unused for years and already sits near other multi-family and commercial developments along the Medical Mile corridor.
The project is being led by Nathan Reynolds, the developer behind Silverleaf Apartments on Republic Road. The architect on the project estimates construction could take around 12 to 14 months once work begins, with the total cost expected to reach nearly $40 million.
If you have been following some of the recent development conversations around Springfield, you can also head back and read our recent blog covering the proposed development near Sequiota and Galloway to stay up to date on what is changing around the area.
Read our previous development blog here – Galloway Village Development
