Demolition of Bergmann's, Groundbreaking for MOM's Organic Market in Arlington

Out with the old, in with the new. 

Building should begin soon for a MOM’s Organic Market and mixed-use development at 2145 Lee Highway, in Arlington's North Highlands community, about a half-mile from the Courthouse Metro Station. Arlington officials approved the project in December 2012.

But first — the building currently in the space, Bergmann's Laundry, will be demolished. The building, closed for the past five months or so, is surrounded by a chain link fence. A bulldozer was standing by on Wednesday morning.

"Bergmann's has been part of the fabric of the Washington, D.C., area for more than 97 years. … This development is a way for our family to continue to be part of the legacy of the Arlington community," said President Peter Bergmann in a statement reported by Washington Business Journal.

Antunovich Associates is collaborating with McCaffery Interests on the new mixed-use development. The 2.059 acre site is located at the intersections of Lee Highway, North Veitch Street and North Uhle Street alongside I-66. 

Between Vietch and Uhle Streets, a new mixed-use building will be constructed to include the 14,000-square foot organic supermarket. Three levels of parking and loading will be constructed below the supermarket. 

Forty-two additional residential units will be located on this block, above the supermarket and along Veich and Uhle Strets and “covering” the sides of the parking garage 242 parking spaces will be provided to accommodate parking needs for the supermarket and the residential building planned on the east side of Uhle Street.

A 10-story residential building is proposed for the east side of North Uhle Street. The building will contain 160 rental residential units with 14 units located on each typical floor. An upper level will contain amenities for the residents including an exterior swimming pool and pool deck. Parking for the residential building will be across Uhle Street in shared parking facilities with the retail building.

“There’s no other store like ours in that we are more dedicated to organics and the environment,” MOM’s CEO Scott Nash said last year.

The grocery company, based out of Rockville, Md., has several locations in the region, including Alexandria and Herndon. The store offers a plethora of organic products and has a number of eco-friendly policies in place — some markets have solar panels on their roofs and electric-car charging stations.

Nash said last year the company has approximately five new locations planned for the region, but it was not ready to announce details.

The new Arlington store will have a prepared and hot food section with veggie burgers, steam bowls and fresh juices, Nash said.