Post by shiloh on Nov 23, 2006 3:22:06 GMT 12.75
www.civilwar.org/news/FDAC_properties_map.pdf
It is a pleasure to announce that the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday evening to support preservation of an additional 74 acres of the First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield (formerly the Mullins Farm). The vote marks the end of a four-and-a-half year struggle by the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) and its partners in the Spotsylvania Battlefields Coalition to rescue this endangered battlefield from imminent development.
The vote was the result of a compromise plan between national developer Toll Brothers, Spotsylvania County , and CWPT that permits Toll Brothers to build 33 additional houses north of the battlefield in exchange for selling 74 acres of hallowed ground to the Trust. Toll Brothers will convey the 74 acres to CWPT for $1 million, less than half the market value of the property (estimated at $2.3 million).
The compromise with Toll Brothers was similar to an agreement reached in 2004 between local developer Tricord, Inc., Spotsylvania County , and CWPT. That agreement resulted in the preservation of 140 acres of the First Day Battlefield adjacent to and immediately east of the 74 acres preserved by the vote Tuesday evening. The two properties will now be joined to create a 214-acre battlefield park.
The victory remarks a dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of the First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield. In 2002, the Dogwood Development Group announced a plan to build a 2,000-unit development on the property, along with 2.2 million square feet of commercial space. At the time the Dogwood plan was announced, it was considered a ?done deal.? However, because of the energy and enthusiasm of the Spotsylvania Battlefields Coalition, the Dogwood plan was overwhelmingly defeated and negotiations were able to begin to protect the core parts of the battleground.
Of course, the job isn?t done yet. Now that the entire First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield is preserved, CWPT, the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, and other Coalition groups are moving forward with plans to install interpretive signage and nearly four miles of walking trails on the First Day Battlefield. The Coalition is now working with Spotsylvania County to create a premiere heritage tourism at the former nursery site on the battlefield.
CWPT wishes to thank Toll Brothers for their willingness to enter into a partnership with the preservation community. We also want to express our gratitude to the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors, who had the patience and foresight to bring this unique agreement to fruition.
Finally, CWPT would like to thank our partners in the Spotsylvania Battlefields Coalition, as well as the hundreds of other concerned citizens and well-wishers who volunteered their time and talents to make this preservation victory possible. It has been a long journey?and a rewarding one. Thank you.
Best,
Jim Campi
It is a pleasure to announce that the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday evening to support preservation of an additional 74 acres of the First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield (formerly the Mullins Farm). The vote marks the end of a four-and-a-half year struggle by the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) and its partners in the Spotsylvania Battlefields Coalition to rescue this endangered battlefield from imminent development.
The vote was the result of a compromise plan between national developer Toll Brothers, Spotsylvania County , and CWPT that permits Toll Brothers to build 33 additional houses north of the battlefield in exchange for selling 74 acres of hallowed ground to the Trust. Toll Brothers will convey the 74 acres to CWPT for $1 million, less than half the market value of the property (estimated at $2.3 million).
The compromise with Toll Brothers was similar to an agreement reached in 2004 between local developer Tricord, Inc., Spotsylvania County , and CWPT. That agreement resulted in the preservation of 140 acres of the First Day Battlefield adjacent to and immediately east of the 74 acres preserved by the vote Tuesday evening. The two properties will now be joined to create a 214-acre battlefield park.
The victory remarks a dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of the First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield. In 2002, the Dogwood Development Group announced a plan to build a 2,000-unit development on the property, along with 2.2 million square feet of commercial space. At the time the Dogwood plan was announced, it was considered a ?done deal.? However, because of the energy and enthusiasm of the Spotsylvania Battlefields Coalition, the Dogwood plan was overwhelmingly defeated and negotiations were able to begin to protect the core parts of the battleground.
Of course, the job isn?t done yet. Now that the entire First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield is preserved, CWPT, the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, and other Coalition groups are moving forward with plans to install interpretive signage and nearly four miles of walking trails on the First Day Battlefield. The Coalition is now working with Spotsylvania County to create a premiere heritage tourism at the former nursery site on the battlefield.
CWPT wishes to thank Toll Brothers for their willingness to enter into a partnership with the preservation community. We also want to express our gratitude to the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors, who had the patience and foresight to bring this unique agreement to fruition.
Finally, CWPT would like to thank our partners in the Spotsylvania Battlefields Coalition, as well as the hundreds of other concerned citizens and well-wishers who volunteered their time and talents to make this preservation victory possible. It has been a long journey?and a rewarding one. Thank you.
Best,
Jim Campi