Out of Closed Session FR-WC EDA Approves Resolutions Regarding Evolving Property Sales and Brokerage Services

The Warren County Economic Development Authority (EDA, WC EDA, FR-WC EDA) approved three action items out of closed session the morning of Friday, March 27th. The first two were the approval of Resolutions amending the terms of evolving property sales. The third was approval of correcting of a typographical error in executed Memorandums Of Agreements (MOAs) with Shenandoah Community Capital Fund.

The two Resolutions approved prior to the fixed typo involved, first, “… revised contracts for the sale of parcels in Rivermont Acres” and second, the awarding of a contract for the provision of real estate brokerage services pursuant to RFP # FRWCEDA2026-1. It should be noted that the former joint town/county EDA, now overseen solely by the County, is still legally titled the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority (FRWCEDA). That is despite the Town’s withdrawal to create its own EDA (FREDA, Front Royal Economic Development Authority) in the wake of legal actions related to the multi-million-dollar “EDA financial scandal” circa 2014-2018.

That recent talk about a rejoining of the two municipalities’ economic development efforts may have been foreshadowed by the presence on Friday morning of former Warren County Director of Economic Development and current Front Royal Town Manager Joe Petty, and Town Councilman Glen Wood. Present from the County were WC Board of Supervisors Chairman Cheryl Cullers and Interim County Administrator Dr. David Martin.

Board Chairman Rob MacDougall, left, addresses agenda topics near the outset of Friday’s WC EDA meeting. Seated in background from left are BOS Chair Cheryl Cullers, Town Manager Joe Petty, Town Councilman Glenn Wood, and Interim County Administrator David Martin. In addition to MacDougall at the board table are board members Bruce Townshend, far side of table, Robert Cullers, back to camera, and James Fox. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

EDA Board Chairman Rob MacDougall described the two involved properties in Action Items 6-A and 6-B to this reporter following the meeting:

6-A: Rivermont Acres property is across the river from the former Avtex property and is limited in its future use due to pollution from the Avtex property, which became a federal Superfund Cleanup site, extending into the river. It involves just over 50 parcels with 18 buyers seeking parcels. As it is not developable for commercial, industrial, or residential use, the expected uses are anticipated to be personal recreation areas, as the property is in a geographically attractive area adjacent to the river.

6-B: The real estate brokerage services RFP (Request For Proposal) involves about 148 acres formerly known as the Happy Creek Technological Park. More recently, it has been cited as Progress Business Park. It lies off Shenandoah Shores and is within the Town of Front Royal’s limits.

The motions of approval of the three Action Items read as follows:

Action Item Motions:

6-A

“I move that the board approve the March 27, 2026, Resolution Approving the revised contracts for the sale of parcels in Rivermont Acres and to authorize the Board Chair and Board Secretary to execute the Resolution and the contracts for sale on behalf of the EDA Board.”

6-B

“I move that the Board approve the selection of the following offerors deemed to be fully qualified and best suited among those submitting proposals in response to the EDA’s Request for Proposal #FRWCEDA2026-1 for the provision of real estate brokerage services, and to authorize the Board Chair to engage in negotiations with each of the offerors selected …”

6-C

“I move that the Board approve the March 27, 2026, Resolution approving the revised Memorandum of Understanding with Shenandoah Community Capital Fund and to authorize the Board Chair and Board Secretary to execute all such contracts.”

Board members discuss agenda topics with remotely linked legal counsel Rodney Young from an open computer on near side of meeting table

EDA legal counsel G. Rodney Young was connected to the meeting remotely. And despite some audio issues on his end of the remote access connection, working together, it was corrected for the most part. And Young was able to offer the board some legal guidance on its move into closed session and the subsequent Action Item votes.