Compass Real Estate
A commercial developer reportedly has expressed interest in purchasing historic property River Farm from the American Horticultural Society, along with at least two adjacent parcels of land, according to a statement from the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust.
The commercial developer, the name of which is unknown, is reportedly interested in the 27-acre River Farm at 7931 E. Boulevard Dr., the $60 million, 16.5-acre property at 7979 E. Boulevard Dr. and another large, adjacent, undeveloped property where a builder earlier had proposed a $38 million estate. While there are plenty of rumors about the developer's intent — including building a hotel and conference center — there is no verifiable information.
NVCT, which released their statement today, has a partnership with NOVA Parks, as the entities are interested in working together to purchase and preserve the estate. NOVA Parks has taken the lead in an effort to negotiate the purchase of River Farm.
In response to the NVCT statement, AHS Wednesday afternoon denied that there is an offer being entertained by any entity other than NOVA Parks:
"The American Horticultural Society (AHS) is not involved with and cannot comment on any of the neighborhood properties surrounding River Farm. With regard to River Farm, AHS has never in any way been in direct discussions or negotiations with the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT). The only offer the AHS board is currently entertaining is an offer from NOVA Parks, and we are pleased with the ongoing positive spirit of these negotiations."
In the fall of 2020, River Farm was put up for sale by the board of AHS, citing financial difficulties at the organization. The decision to sell the property was immediately opposed by community members, conservation leaders and state officials.
AHS listed the property for $32.9 million and it remains on the market at that price, represented by Sue Goodhart of The Goodhart Group, Compass Real Estate.
"From the first announcement a year ago, I have led dozens of conversations with AHS Board members, elected officials and community leaders about protecting and preserving River Farm’s beauty and public access," said Fairfax County Supervisor Dan Storck, whose region includes River Farm. "The AHS Board split has made reaching a consensus for any action difficult. Without a clear agreement that River Farm will be protected and preserved long term, the community and I would not support any change. I continue to believe that a mutual agreement with NOVA Parks could achieve everyone’s goals."
NOVA Parks put in an offer for the property in early 2021. Their initial offer was rejected, but AHS in May of this year said it would start formal negotiations with the two entities to see if an agreement was possible.
In response to concerns about development of the property by a future owner, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors this spring established a historic overlay district that included the AHS property. The establishment of the Wellington at River Farm Historic Overlay District (WHOD) does not prevent the sale of River Farm, but it may help limit development that can take place there and prevent the destruction of historic buildings on the property.
When the WHOD was established back in April, Attorney John C. McGranahan, speaking on behalf of AHS, said: “I deeply regret that we find ourselves here today. Since AHS announced last fall that it was planning to sell River Farm, they have consistently stated their intent that the property be sold to a purchaser who will continue to be an excellent steward, one who will respect the beauty of the property and maintain it for a single use. AHS has stated their preference that some level of ongoing community access be provided as well.”
Just before the WHOD passed, local State Sen. Scott Surovell introduced Senate Bill 1457, which passed, and allows Fairfax County to include a provision in its historic preservation ordinance allowing public access to a historic area or providing that no subdivision of a historic district can happen without a special review to ensure compatibility with the nature of the area.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has an item on its meeting docket for this Tuesday, Sept. 14, that would “amend the powers and duties of the Architectural Review Board” in such a way that would give the ARB more power to hear and decide applications, review proposed subdivisions and “amend the additional Standards for the Wellington Historic Overlay District (WHOD) to require ARB review and approval of any proposed subdivision and to allow the Board to impose or accept conditions and restrictions it deems necessary….”
That item has been on the agenda twice in recent months and has been delayed while negotiations regarding the River Farm property continue among various entities and officials.
“Wellington Civic Association [has] encouraged and continues to encourage the board to pass this additional amendment to protect this property from development,” said Wellington Civic Association President Katherine Ward.
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The following is the complete statement from Alan Rowsome, Executive Director, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, released Sept. 8.
Despite announcing in May of this year that they would begin formal negotiations with NOVA Parks and the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT) to sell River Farm, the American Horticultural Society (AHS) has done little to honor that agreement and instead made excuses and requested delays.
Now four months later, during which time AHS continued to list River Farm as ‘on the market’, it appears that a developer has submitted a letter of intent to purchase River Farm – along with several adjacent properties – to build a large-scale commercial business there.
Accepting such an offer would be a betrayal of the original intent of Enid Annenberg Haupt’s financial gift that AHS used to purchase River Farm in 1973 and would cast aside their commitment to work with local government, parks organizations, and conservation groups to ensure the future of this unique community asset. No such offer from a developer to despoil River Farm can be allowed to move forward.
It is imperative that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors move expeditiously to pass the now twice-delayed Historic Overlay District addition to River Farm they first considered earlier this summer, and AHS must reaffirm that they are working exclusively with NOVA Parks and NVCT towards an agreement. Not only have NOVA Parks and NVCT had a fair market offer to purchase the property on the table for the last 9 months, they have consistently negotiated in good faith while proposing numerous options for AHS to consider. Those options include co-ownership of property, renting the site back to AHS, and a full purchase.
The time is long past due for all sides to work together in earnest towards a solution that protects River Farm, and the residents of Northern Virginia expect nothing less than for this special place to be open to the public and safeguarded for all time.
