A decision on whether there’s any historic value in a former schoolhouse bound for redevelopment in Aurora Highlands is unlikely until next year.
Historic-preservation staff will begin a study of the Melwood property “by the end of the year at the latest — like the December time frame,” said Mical Tawney, a historic-preservation specialist, in response to a question at the June 18 meeting of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB).
“It would be spring [2026] when we would bring it back” to the commission for consideration, Tawney said.
HALRB members last year directed staff to begin the review, following receipt of an application for historic status filed by a community member.
The request was motivated by an effort to save the century-old former schoolhouse on the site at 750 23rd Street S., but also may have been designed to stymie a redevelopment effort there.
Melwood and Wesley Housing are seeking to tear down the building and replace it with a five-story mixed-use project with 105 units of affordable housing, some of it reserved for people with disabilities, and support facilities.
Despite some community opposition, County Board members in February set the stage for redevelopment. It is on hold for now until there is clarity on whether recent historic-preservation legislation in Richmond requires a demolition delay until after the historic-preservation review is finalized.
Del. Patrick Hope (D-1), who patroned that legislation, has requested an official opinion from the office of Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) on that matter. No opinion has yet been posted by Miyares’ office.
Opinions from the attorney general’s office do not have the force of law, but this one may help define the issues around the legislation’s intent and its implications in this case.
Lorin Farris, the county government’s acting historic-preservation supervisor, on June 18 had no new information for HALRB members on the development proposal.
“We haven’t gotten any update from planning staff or housing staff,” she said.
Tawney’s analysis of the Melwood site can’t begin until after review is completed on a project that had gone into the queue earlier.
“We take them, as you all know, first-come, first-served,” she told HALRB members.
HALRB members will issue a formal recommendation on historic-district status to County Board members, who have the final say. In recent years, County Board members have been reluctant to designate a parcel as historic without consent of the property owner.
As the historic-preservation piece plays out, Melwood and Wesley Housing continue to pull together the financing pieces for the project.
The Virginia Housing board of commissioners recently agreed to the use of low-income-housing tax credits to support the project.
Larysa Kautz, president/CEO of Melwood, said the property would fill a major need, given that every unit would meet full accessibility standards using the Kelsey Inclusive Design model.
“The lack of accessible, affordable housing remains a major barrier to independence, inclusion and workforce participation for people with disabilities,” Kautz said. “It also places enormous pressure on caregivers, public systems and employers struggling to retain talented employees.”
The 1.73-acre Melwood site is bordered by a low-density commercial building to the west, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a low-density commercial building to the north, Calvary United Methodist Church to the east and Nelly Custis Park to the south.
