The County Board is considering purchasing two single-family homes in Arlington: one for open space, the other for stormwater management.
Board members on Saturday are expected to consider purchasing one property at 1922 N. Upton Street for $1.1 million, and another at 6915 29th Street N. for $218,536.
The 29th Street N. property, adjacent to I-66 near the Falls Church border, is assessed at $1,124,100. However, the current owner — an out-of-state heir to the estate of a deceased resident — has offered it to county officials at the reduced figure.
The price will cover the heir’s costs of maintaining the property in the months leading up to the sale.
County officials plan to raze the single-family home that has stood on the site since 1950 and maintain it as open space. According to county staff, the property owner contacted them with an offer to sell.
While the purchase price is well below the assessed value, there are additional costs. County officials estimate closing costs will add $5,000, with about $350,000 required to raze the home, remove the construction debris and return the property to a natural state.
The home sits at the end of a cul-de-sac off of N. Westmoreland Street near East Falls Church. It occupies a parcel of about two-thirds an acre.
The acquisition will help the county government get closer to its goal of adding 30 acres of new open space between 2019 and 2029.
Meanwhile, the county would purchase the N. Upton Street home for slightly above the 2025 assessed valuation of $1,015,700. County officials say the price is in line with an appraisal done in April.
The property owner was among those receiving letters from county officials, tendering informal offers to purchase as part of ongoing stormwater management efforts. The owner responded positively to the entreaty and struck a deal with the county.
The home, located in the Waverly Hills neighborhood, was constructed in 1942 and sits on approximately one-seventh of an acre.
In addition to the purchase price and related closing costs, the county estimates it will spend approximately $400,000 in razing the property and removing construction debris.
The acquisition of each property is among the items on the Board’s consent agenda, making it likely there will be no discussion or public comment prior to action.
