The American Horticultural Society (AHS) has received a second proposal from NOVA Parks, the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and their partners in an effort to purchase River Farm.
The AHS Board of Directors, which voted to put AHS’s national headquarters on the market last year, will review the new proposal in the coming weeks.
River Farm was placed on the market in late 2020, citing financial difficulties. Concerned about development, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is in the process of putting a historic overlay district around the property.
The AHS board declined a previous proposal submitted by NOVA Parks earlier this year.
Financial terms of the original proposal were reportedly "well below" the asking price set of $32.9 million, according to AHS.
“AHS has been a good neighbor to the Alexandria community for many decades and has been disheartened by the flurry of false information about AHS and its stewardship of River Farm,” said AHS Board Chair Terry Hayes. “As we have assured the community repeatedly, we have no intention of selling River Farm to a developer; as a horticultural organization we value the natural beauty and recognize the importance of River Farm. Community rumors that River Farm is at risk of being sold to someone who will subdivide our 25-acres are simply not true and only fuel fears where none should exist,” said Hayes. “We welcome honest, civil, meaningful dialogue with our neighbors and want to find a solution that will meet the needs of AHS, our Alexandria neighbors, and Fairfax County."
In addition to making the revised offer, Nova Parks is in the running for a $2 million matching grant from the the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program. If approved by the National Park Service, the grants will help to acquire lands for public outdoor recreation. DCR manages the Land and Water Conservation Fund in Virginia on behalf of the National Park Service. The fund is a 50-50 matching reimbursement program.
Applicants must complete a series of requirements to remain eligible for the Land and Water Conservation Fund program. DCR staff will work with the applicants over the next several months to prepare their projects for submission to the National Park Service for further consideration.
Applicants who receive the matching grants must open the lands to the public within three years.
