Board “Moving Forward” With NCC Purchase

The Loudoun Board of Supervisors listened to opponents of plans to purchase a portion of the National Conference Center property in Lansdowne and then made clear that the deal is as good as done.

Offering a synopsis of the search for the site and announcing that the price was $6 million less than—albeit a smaller piece of property—some board members took a few moments to explain their position.

Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) said opponents need to see the “big picture,” not just the cost of the land, calling the purchase a “bargain to the people of Loudoun County” compared to alternatives.

Supervisor Ralph Buona (R-Ashburn), whose district includes Lansdowne and the National Conference Center, explained that the purchase does not require a vote. If the board takes not action by Feb. 17, then the purchase moves forward, he said. With no other board meetings scheduled, barring an emergency meeting, the purchase essentially will be finalized once supervisors adjourn tonight.

“At this point, it appears we’re going to move forward with this site,” Buona said, adding his support for building a school on fewer acres (45 rather than the target of 70-plus acres). While Buona also touted a two-story design, most county high schools have two stories.

The school will be adjacent to and will overtake the Lansdowne's existing sports park, a portion of the middle school site and the NCC property.