FR-WC EDA Asset Committee Reviews Status of Several Properties, Mostly in Closed Session

The County overseen Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority’s Asset Committee met Thursday afternoon, December 21, at the Warren County Government Center. The agenda indicated a focus on discussion of the status of several properties the EDA is or hopes to market soon or redevelop. Unfortunately for your humble reporter, the bulk of that conversation occurred in Closed/Executive Session so as not to compromise the EDA’s “bargaining position or negotiating strategy” in the disposition of those properties.

During the open session the discussion focused on the status of the 400 Kendrick Lane property that includes the former FR-WC EDA offices in the old Avtex Admin building. A path forward in dealing with various physical plant issues, as well as some deteriorating EDA documents, was discussed. “If it’s good with your committee, we can work together to really come up with a game plan on dollars, next steps, what that process looks like, timelines, and just go from there,” County Director of Economic Development Joe Petty offered to meeting Chairman Jorie Martin and colleagues of establishing that path forward.

Termination of an existing contract and movement toward a new one was also raised which appeared to involve property at the Happy Creek Technology Park and the Sheriff’s Office. However, the chair noted that details of that situation would be a topic of the Closed Session. The Closed Session Agenda referenced the following topics:

4. Closed Session
5. 4 matters – Discussion of disposition of publicly held real property where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, Stephens Industrial Park; Avtex Redevelopment Area; Happy Creek Technology Park; 1321 Happy Creek Road, and legal advice related thereto, pursuant to Va. Code § 2.2-3711.A.3 and 8.

Its agenda projected on the far wall, the County EDA Asset Committee works its way through a brief open session discussion of the 400 Kendrick Ln. property toward a Closed Session to discuss details of the redevelopment or marketing of various other properties. From the left, around the table, are Hayden Ashworth, John Stanmeyer, County Director of Economic Development Joe Petty, Rob McDougall, and Jorie Martin. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

After about 9 minutes in the open session, the Asset Committee’s move to a Closed Session on those topics was announced. So, media present left to explore the status of the Christmas cookies and cup cakes he had been tipped were available at various locations around the WCGC offices — Yum, yum.